De Blasio Hauls in Endorsements at Brooklyn Rally

Bill de Blasio surrounded by supporters. Letitia James, right. Photo: MK Metz

In a post-primary surge, Democratic mayoral frontrunner Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday a boatload of endorsements from unions and prominent individuals, on the very crowded steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Many of the union leaders call de Blasio a progressive reformer, and pledged the support of thousands of members as the election effort rolls out.

De Blasio focused on several major problems facing the city: the gap between rich and poor; pre-K and afterschool programs; stop & frisk; affordable housing; and healthcare for all.

Second-place finisher Bill Thompson is holding out until thousands of paper ballots are counted before deciding whether to drop out or participate in a runoff.

De Blasio received endorsements on Thursday from:

Héctor Figueroa, President of 32BJ SEIU
Peter Ward, President of the Hotel Trades Council
Working Families Party (WFP)
Congressman Jerry Nadler
Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
Former Congresswoman and NYC Comptroller Liz Holtzman
Planned Parenthood of NYC Political Committee
Assembly Member and Chair of the NYS Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus Karim Camara
Assembly Member Deborah Glick
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal
Assembly Member Nily Rozic
Assembly Member Phil Goldfeder
Assembly Member Michael Simanowitz
Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa
Assembly Member Rafael Espinal
Assembly Member Dick Gottfried
Assembly Member Michael Miller
State Senator Dan Squadron
State Senator Kevin Parker
State Senator Brad Hoylman
State Senator Gustavo Rivera
State Senator Joe Addabbo
State Senator Martin Dilan
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
Council Member Tish James
Council Member Donovan Richards
Council Member Margaret Chin
Council Member Erik Dilan
Council Member Danny Dromm
Council Member Steve Levin
Council Member Jimmy Vacca
Council Member Dan Garodnick
Former Council and Assemblymember Guillermo Linares
City Council candidate Ritchie Torres
City Council candidate Carlos Menchaca
City Council candidate Corey Johnson
City Council candidate Helen Rosenthal
City Council candidate Antonio Reynoso
Democratic nominee for Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson
United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9A
Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180 President Arthur Cheliotes
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 891 President Robert Troeller
International Union of Operating Engineers Local Unions 94, 94A, and 94B President Kuba Brown
District Leader Mark Levine
District Leader Paula Melendez
District Leader Corey Provost
District Leader Frank Gulluscio
Former Community Board 1 Chairperson of Lower Manhattan Julie Menin


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