Influential labor union District Council 37 is backing Assembly Member Alex Bores and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in New York City’s two open congressional primaries.
The former gives the Manhattan legislator a boost in the crowded race to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler. The latter means the city’s largest public sector union is breaking with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who’s been trying to rally support for Reynoso’s opponent, Assembly Member Claire Valdez, to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
Union delegates approved endorsements for seven other Democratic congressional incumbents in the city Tuesday night as well. That includes Rep. Dan Goldman, who’s facing serious opposition from Brad Lander, the man who used to sign DC 37 members’ checks as city comptroller. The union also backed Reps. Greg Meeks, Grace Meng, Hakeem Jeffries, Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
One conspicuous absence from the slate: Rep. Ritchie Torres. “The screening committee hasn’t taken action on that race at this time, it’s still under consideration,” DC 37 spokesperson Thea Setterbo said. Torres is being primaried by former Assembly Member Michael Blake, who earned an early endorsement from DC 37 in his first run against Torres in 2020.
DC 37 previously endorsed all three statewide incumbents and plans to announce its full slate for state Senate and Assembly races in April.
