Union Strength Shown in Special Election for Congress

In the recent special election to fill a vacant seat in the 3rd New York District of the United States House of Representatives, Congressman-elect Tom Suozzi won a convincing victory due in no small part to the tremendous support he received from unions. 

 

Our state teachers’ union, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), chose to endorse Suozzi because of his record in government of supporting public schools and the labor movement.

 

Despite a winter snowstorm on the morning of the election, many NYSUT members and retired teachers showed up to vote. Union members and retirees also participated in phone banking, canvassing and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts on the day of the election. All in all, unions played a huge role in helping to spread Mr. Suozzi’s campaign platform and making sure his supporters made their voices heard at the ballot box.

 

Several times during the campaign, Mr. Suozzi thanked unions for their support. On his Instagram page, Suozzi wrote, “Special thanks to my friends in labor who came out in huge numbers to rally and support me in Levittown! I am proud to stand with the unions as we get out there to do right by the people of NY3.”

 

 

 

The hope now is that Mr. Suozzi will go to Washington D.C. and be an advocate for educators, the labor movement and the issues that matter most to those who supported him in this election. About Mr. Suozzi, NYSUT President, Melinda Person said, “Together, we believe in the power of public schools to unite us, and we look forward to his [Suozzi’s] efforts to bring people together in our divided nation.”