Many candidates who support working people were recently elected to local government offices across the state.
CSEA endorsed more than 300 candidates this year. Our members backed up that support by working hard to get out the vote for candidates who will fight for you.
“These elections are very important to our members and all New Yorkers, because these elected leaders are making decisions that affect us every day,” CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said. “Our members truly understand the importance of getting out the vote for candidates who will fight for working people.
Whether they made phone calls, handed out literature, worked at Election Day visibility efforts or attended events, CSEA members really made a difference.”
In Monroe County, CSEA members worked for months to elect Adam Bello as the new County Executive. In his acceptance speech, Bello acknowledged CSEA and thanked our members for their hard work. Bello’s election brings to an end an administration that ignored the CSEA workforce and actively encouraged members to quit their union. CSEA looks forward to forging a strong working relationship with Bello.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro was also successful in his re-election campaign. Throughout his campaign, Molinaro stressed the collaborative partnership with CSEA as key to the continued shared success of the county.
Also in the Dutchess County Town of Wappinger, CSEA member and 29-year town Highway Department employee Michael Sheehan was elected Highway Superintendent. Sheehan replaces a highway superintendent who blatantly ignored our contract.
After years of a tense relationship with the previous Onondaga County Executive, CSEA has been pleased to work side-by-side with Ryan McMahon since he was appointed as County Executive last year. CSEA fought hard to successfully elect McMahon to his first full term as county executive.
In the Town of Hempstead, now outgoing Supervisor Laura Gillen sued CSEA over a no-layoff agreement we had with her predecessor. The town’s Receiver of Taxes, Donald Clavin, publicly stood with CSEA against Gillen’s actions. CSEA stood with Clavin, who defeated Gillen to become Hempstead’s new Town Supervisor. Gillen conceded the race on November 22, after this edition went to press.
In addition to these key races, many other CSEA endorsed candidates saw victories at the polls on Election Day. Our members truly made a difference in many of these races. Our members showed the strength and power of union, proving once again when we volunteer, get involved and vote, we win.
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- Capital Region President Ron Briggs, left, and Capital District Retirees Local 999 activist George Hebert get out the vote for Troy mayoral candidate Rodney Wiltshire.
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- Onondaga County Health Department Unit President Linda Park holds a sign supporting Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Election Day.
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- Industry Residential Center Local President Michele Harris holds a sign in support of Monroe County Executive-elect Adam Bello during the 2019 Rochester Labor Day Parade.
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- CSEA Western Region activists, family members and union leaders, including CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, sixth from right, pose with Monroe County Executive-elect Adam Bello, center, before the 2019 Rochester Labor Day Parade.
