CSEA has a member-driven endorsement process. Candidates running for Assembly and Senate seats are interviewed by region Political Action Committees (PACs) made up of members who represent the diverse cross-section of our membership.
CSEA members take their responsibilities very seriously when interviewing and vetting candidates seeking our endorsement. A CSEA endorsement is provided to a candidate who best represents the interests of our members, and protects the services we provide, regardless of political party.
Over the last several months, region PACs conducted these interviews over Zoom videoconference calls and have made more than 100 endorsements for Senate and Assembly. While each endorsement is important, the following are a few featured races from each region to illustrate the importance of why CSEA is involved with political endorsements.
Long Island Region
Members in Suffolk County have had CSEA-endorsed Republican State Sen. Ken LaValle looking out for them for over 40 years. Unfortunately, Senator LaValle has decided to retire and CSEA wishes him luck. Now, we are left with some big shoes to fill.
Palumbo
It was up to the Region PAC to interview candidates to find someone to continue to champion CSEA in Senate District 1. CSEA thinks they have done that with Assemblymember Anthony Palumbo, a Republican who is running for LaValle’s Senate seat. During his tenure in the Assembly, Palumbo has consistently voted in favor of CSEA’s priorities and had an open-door policy with union members. In the Senate, he will continue to fight for education, the environment, and Long Island’s families, just as Senator LaValle has.
Metropolitan Region
Rose
Many of the CSEA-endorsed candidates in the Metropolitan Region faced tough primaries in June. Some still face some tough races in the General Election, including incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Max Rose, who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in Congress. Since he first ran two years ago, this decorated veteran has been vocal in his support of CSEA members. He voted for the HEROES Act and has been very vocal of the need for PPE in New York City. Keeping him in Congress to fight for us is important for CSEA.
Southern Region
State Sen. Sue Serino, left, and CSEA Southern Region Anthony Adamo appear at a news conference in early 2020 opposing the proposed New York State Bridge Authority merger with the Thruway Authority.
The Southern Region PAC has made the re-election of Republican State Sen. Sue Serino a top priority this November. Serino has been a longtime ally of CSEA. She was very vocal in opposing the merger of the New York State Bridge Authority into the Thruway Authority and opposing the New York Health Act, two proposals that could have negatively impacted CSEA members.
In another important race in the Hudson Valley, Democratic State Sen. Pete Harckham is seeking re-election for the first time. Not only has Harckham opposed efforts to weaken the independence of the NYS Pension Fund, but he has also supported increased benefits for survivors of front-line employees who lost their lives due to COVID-19.
Harckham faces a challenge from Rob Astorino. Westchester County employees know Astorino all too well, as they fought hard to oust him as county executive in 2017 due to his anti-labor policies. CSEA doesn’t want to see Astorino and his anti-union positions back in office.
Capital Region
CSEA-endorsed New York 21st Congressional District candidate Tedra Cobb, left, speaks with Dormitory Authority Local 3rd Vice President Jeanne Jones at a 2018 Capital Region conference.
The Capital Region PAC is primarily working to help Democrat Tedra Cobb face off against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik. For a number of years, CSEA has tried to build a relationship with Stefanik, but she has not been responsive to our outreach. Stefanik was one of the members of the House of Representatives to vote against the HEROES Act, which would have sent billions of dollars to New York to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Cobb has been very responsive to CSEA and our issues, and Capital Region members strongly feel that a change in representation is needed in Congressional District 21.
Central Region
U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi shows his support for CSEA in this 2018 file photo.
Two years ago, CSEA members worked hard supporting Democratic U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi when he successfully ran for that seat against then-incumbent Claudia Tenney. Tenney, who is trying to re-take her former seat in Congress, continues to support an anti-union agenda. Union members were the key in this tough congressional race in 2018 and will no doubt be as important this November. Congressman Brindisi has worked hard across the aisle to deliver for his district and CSEA members in Central New York are proud to fight for him once again.
Western Region 2nd Vice President
Carrie Asenato puts out a yard sign supporting Jamie Romeo for Monroe County Clerk.
Western Region
Western New York has several interesting state and federal races. However, the region’s main target is a local race in Monroe County to help get Jamie Romeo elected to a full term as Monroe County Clerk. Romeo has been a big advocate for CSEA as an Assemblymember and in her short time as County Clerk. After years of hostility from the county, CSEA has made dramatic changes in the past year starting with the election of Adam Bello as County Executive. Bello has made things better in Monroe County, but he can’t do it alone. Romeo and Bello have worked well together and CSEA members want to make sure that continues.
