New York State United Teachers announces endorsements
sIVOTE portrait of Todd Kaminsky, Dem candidate for re-election for the 9th SD, taken at his office, 100 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, New York, on Friday Aug. 5, 2016. Credit: Richard T. Slattery
The New York State United Teachers, the state’s largest teachers union, has endorsed Democrats Todd Kaminsky and Adam Haber against their Republican challengers in two of Long Island’s most competitive State Senate races in November.
Haber, an East Hills businessman and Roslyn school board member, is running in the 7th Senate District against Republican Flower Hill Mayor Elaine Phillips.
The seat is being vacated by Republican Jack Martins, who is running for Congress.
“We will work together to continue to address the misguided Common Core curriculum, ensure Long Island’s schools are fairly funded and defend our resources against New York City private charter schools,” Haber said.
The union’s political action committee also backed Kaminsky, who won a State Senate seat in the 9th District after the arrest and conviction of former Sen. Dean Skelos on federal corruption charges.
Kaminsky will take on Republican Chris McGrath in a rematch of their closely fought contest in April.
“I’m honored to have NYSUT’s endorsement and I’ll continue my work to end the reign of Common Core, decouple evaluations from funding, and prevent the flow of our school aid to New York City,” Kaminsky said.
The teachers union also backed three Republican incumbent senators: Kenneth LaValle of Port Jefferson in the 1st District; Tom Croci of Islip in the 3rd District and Phil Boyle of Bay Shore in the 4th District. None of the three Republicans are in races that are considered competitive.
Republican Senate spokesman Scott Reif said the GOP is responsible for recent increases in education aid for Long Island schools.
“When it comes to protecting our schools and standing up for kids, Senate Republicans have always been there doing what’s right for New York,” Reif said.
He added that “as a result of the billions of dollars secured by Senate Republicans, students and teachers will continue to have the resources they need to succeed and thrive.”
The union did not make an endorsement in the 2nd District race between Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-East Northport) and Democrat Peter Magistrale; in the 5th District race between Sen. Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset) and Democrat James Gaughran; in the 6th District race between Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) and Democrat Ryan Cronin; or in the 8th District race between Sen. Michael Venditto (R-Oyster Bay) and Democrat John Brooks.
“Candidates earning NYSUT’s endorsement this year have shown a willingness to listen to our members in public schools, colleges and hospitals,” said union President Karen Magee. “They value their relationships with our more than 600,000 politically active and energized members and champion their interests.”
Andrew Pallotta, executive vice president of the teachers union, said the group would provide campaign contributions and volunteers to assist the candidates they endorsed.
The full list of Long Island candidates endorsed by the union include:
U.S. Senate: Chuck Schumer
House of Representatives:
1st District: Anna Throne-Holst
2nd District: DuWayne Gregory
3rd District: Thomas Suozzi
4th District: no endorsement
5th District: Gregory Meeks
State Senate:
1st District: Kenneth LaValle
2nd District: no endorsement
3rd District: Tom Croci
4th District: Phil Boyle
5th District: no endorsement
6th District: no endorsement
7th District: Adam Haber
8th District: no endorsement
9th District: Todd Kaminsky
State Assembly
1st District: Fred Thiele Jr.
2nd District: Anthony Palumbo
3rd District: Dean Murray
4th District: Steve Englebright
5th District: Alfred Graf
6th District: Phil Ramos
7th District: Andrew Garbarino
8th District: Richard Macellaro
9th District: Joseph Saladino
10th District: Chad Lupinacci
11th District: Kimberly Jean-Pierre
12th District: Andrew Raia
13th District: Charles Lavine
14th District: David McDonough
15th District: Michael Montesano
16th District: Anthony D’Urso
17th District: Tom McKevitt
18th District: no endorsement
19th District: Edward Ra
20th District: Anthony Eramo
21st District: no endorsement
22nd District: Michaelle Solages
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
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