Candidate choices driven by union’s rank-and-file CSEA’s political endorsement process is member-driven. Union members serving on political action committees interview candidates, review voting records, and determine whether a candidate has our members’ interests in mind, regardless of their political party. Once an endorsement is made, CSEA supports the candidate in many ways. “I believe informed and energetic activists can make a difference in the outcome of elections. That is why, year after year, CSEA must decide which candidates to support through our endorsement process,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “As public employees, our bosses are the politicians (or supervisors they hire). Our livelihoods are directly affected by the decisions made by elected officials.” CSEA’s endorsement process begins in the weeks leading up to the first week of June, when candidates for office take out petitions to run. In one sense, the endorsement process is ongoing for incumbent candidates, as CSEA legislative and political action committees monitor their actions and votes. By mid-July, when candidate petitions are submitted to boards of election, activists have an idea of who is running and send out invitations to candidates to be interviewed by CSEA legislative and political action committees. “Everyone has the chance to be interviewed, and for the most part, we like to interview everybody. Our invitations go to Republicans and Democrats “Everyone has the chance to be interviewed, and for the most part, we like to interview everybody. Our invitations go to Republicans and Democrats alike.” — CSEA President Danny Donohue alike,” Donohue said, including candidates in favor of cutting government and outsourcing services. “We still want to hear what they have to say, and give them an opportunity to hear what we have to say. It is certainly an open process.” Candidates may also approach CSEA for its endorsement. Once endorsements are set, candidates receive support in primary elections, general elections or both, depending on the nature of their race. A CSEA endorsement makes a candidate eligible for campaign resources, including but not limited to financial contributions, printing services, phone banks, automatic phone calls, and most importantly, campaign volunteers. The greatest support the union gives endorsed candidates is voting strength. Turning out on Election Day to vote, and getting family, friends and neighbors to do the same, historically has been the labor movement’s strongest suit against forces trying to do away with unions. Voting for responsible and fair-minded officials is the best way to stand up for good government. CSEA believes in strong, wellmanaged CSEA Orange County Unit 1st Vice President Bob Markel, left, visits an Orange County home during a labor walk for county executive candidate Roxanne Donnery and county legislature candidate Michele Murphy. public services, decent wages and benefits, and policies that support strong communities. View a complete listing of CSEA’s endorsed candidates on Page 9 and visit cseany.org for election updates. Among CSEA’s key races are: • Orange County Executive, Roxanne Donnery; • Westchester County Executive, Noam Bramson; • Chautauqua County Executive, Ron Johnson. New York City mayor, Bill DeBlasio November 2013 The Work Force 3
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