CSEA recently endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Letitia James for re-election, citing their strong records of standing with and fighting for CSEA members.
“These endorsements reflect CSEA’s support for leaders who consistently work with labor,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “CSEA looks forward to continuing our partnership to strengthen New York’s workforce and build a more stable and affordable future for all.”
Our union officers noted that Hochul has delivered meaningful improvements for members.
At a time when public employees across the country face growing threats to pensions, collective bargaining rights and workplace protections, New York has taken a different path. From child care to health care, to public safety and retirement security, Hochul has delivered positive results by working with labor. She has strengthened pensions, improved worker safety and invested in public services.
“Governor Hochul is a proven leader who understands that services New Yorkers rely on depend on a strong workforce,” said Sullivan. “Her leadership has delivered real results for working people, retirees and the communities we serve.”
“Workers keep this state moving, and I’m grateful to my friend, Mary Sullivan, and the men and women of the Civil Service Employees Association for their commitment to fighting for workers and making their voices heard in this election,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “I’m proud to stand with CSEA in their fight for fair pay, a safe workplace, and a government that always works for working people. From creating good-paying union jobs to making New York more affordable for the families that need it most, we’ve shown this state what’s possible when government and labor work as partners. I’m honored to have CSEA’s support in this race and look forward to deepening our partnership as we continue fighting for New Yorkers.”
One of the most significant examples is pension reform for Tier 6 employees, a major CSEA priority. Hochul signed legislation in 2024 to improve retirement security by reducing the vesting period and ensuring pension calculations more fairly reflect a worker’s earnings.
“These pension reforms send a clear message that New York values public service and the people who choose these careers,” said Sullivan. “Working with the governor and State Legislature, we look to continue fixing Tier 6 to achieve parity with earlier tiers.”
Hochul has also made workplace safety a priority. The expansion of automated work zone speed enforcement has helped protect Department of Transportation (DOT) employees.
CSEA Executive Vice President Richard Bebo, a former DOT local president, said the changes have already saved lives.
“Governor Hochul understands what it means to protect us,” said Bebo. “Working in work zones on our highways is dangerous work and speeding motorists led to severe injuries and even death in many instances. Governor Hochul stepped in and used her power to greatly expand the use of cameras to slow down motorists and keep us safe. Because of her, there are cameras in even more work zones throughout the state.”
CSEA Statewide Secretary Stacey Baldwin Deyo, Greene County probation officer, highlighted Hochul’s leadership in cracking down on illegal ghost guns and actions taken last year to address bail reform.
“Public safety has to come first,” said Baldwin Deyo. “From cracking down on illegal ghost guns to making common-sense changes to bail reform, Governor Hochul has taken action to protect law enforcement, families, and our communities.”
Hochul’s leadership has also strengthened local governments by expanding direct funding and delivering real resources communities that rely on them.
“Governor Hochul has worked to strengthen local government services by expanding direct funding and delivering real resources to the communities that rely on them,” said CSEA Statewide Treasurer Nicole Meeks, a City of Syracuse employee. “As someone who has worked in local government, I know these services are often the first place New Yorkers turn for help. The Governor understands that when local governments are strong, residents get the services they need, jobs are protected, and communities enjoy a higher quality of life.”
Positive change across the state
Hochul’s impact is visible across every CSEA region and nearly every sector represented by our union.
On Long Island, Hochul stepped in to stabilize Nassau University Medical Center and A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility, two critical safety-net health care institutions. Long Island Region President Jarvis Brown said her actions protected both patient care and the workers who provide it.
“By providing millions of dollars in essential funding and appointing new, credentialed Nassau Health Care Corporation board members, Governor Hochul has stabilized the hospital, secured the financial future of our members, and preserved attainable, quality health care for Long Islanders at one of our only safety-net hospitals,” said Brown.
In Brooklyn, Hochul’s leadership played a key role in supporting SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett said the governor recognized what was at stake.
“Her intervention recognized SUNY Downstate’s essential role in Brooklyn’s health care system and affirmed that public hospitals — and the workers who serve our communities — are worth fighting for,” said Crockett.
CSEA members have seen Hochul protect New York’s most vulnerable people. Southern Region President Rosemarie Kukys, a registered nurse, pointed to the governor’s $445 million Medicaid funding increase for nursing homes.
“That funding shows she is a strong leader who understands our responsibility to ensure our most vulnerable New Yorkers have access to needed care regardless of their financial resources,” said Kukys.
Capital Region President Shana Davis cited Hochul’s support for working families and public employees.
“Governor Hochul has shown respect for working people through meaningful action,” said Davis. “Providing her state workforce with 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave was a welcome benefit for CSEA families. Her proactive efforts to protect state, local government and school district workers from job loss due to artificial intelligence shows her continued commitment to those who keep our state running.”
CSEA Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf highlighted Hochul’s leadership on education funding and her compassion for workers facing immigration enforcement.
“Whether it’s fighting for funding for public education and SUNY workers or taking time to meet with the families of Upstate Medical Hospital workers torn apart by ICE enforcement, she leads with strength and humanity,” said Greenleaf. “That’s the kind of governor CSEA members need, and that’s why we proudly endorse her.”
Western Region President Steve Healy pointed to Hochul’s long history in Western New York, from her time as Erie County Clerk to representing the region in Congress.
“Governor Hochul understands county government because she’s lived it. As a former Erie County Clerk and a member of Congress representing Western New York, she knows firsthand the workforce that keeps local services running,” said Healy. “CSEA worked with her during her time in county government and in Congress, and that relationship has continued during her tenure as governor. As governor, she made sure federal recovery funding reached counties across our region and gave local governments the flexibility they needed to retain staff and continue serving the public.”
Strong support for DiNapoli, James
CSEA also reaffirmed our union’s support for Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Letitia James.
“CSEA is proud to endorse Comptroller Tom DiNapoli because he has consistently protected the retirement security of public employees, provided strong fiscal oversight, and stood with our union and our members,” said Sullivan. “Tom DiNapoli has been a trusted partner and a friend to CSEA throughout his time in office.”
DiNapoli has served as state comptroller since 2007, overseeing the nation’s largest public pension fund, which includes more than 250,000 CSEA members and retirees. He has guided the fund through economic uncertainty while maintaining strong returns through sound investments.
“This endorsement from CSEA is a very special one, because I know what it means to live in a family that depends on a union wage and pension. So, it’s an honor to earn the support of so many civil servants who face that same reality, and to have their trust in protecting their retirements,” said New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. “Sound fiscal stewardship of our pension fund guarantees a fair and dignified retirement for public servants. While other candidates are campaigning on schemes that would gamble our retirements away on risky proposals, I remain steadfast in my commitment to CSEA’s 250,000 members and every single state and local government employee.”
As attorney general, James has a strong record of safeguarding workers’ rights and holding powerful interests accountable.
“Attorney General Letitia James has stood with working families and used the power of her office to hold powerful interests accountable and ensure fairness for New Yorkers,” said Sullivan.
“I am honored to have the support of CSEA as your Attorney General,” said James. “CSEA employees keep New York strong, from our state government to our local school districts and child care providers. I’m proud to stand with them in this election.”
Our union will work with Hochul, DiNapoli and James to keep providing services throughout New York.
— Bryan Miller