The United Federation of Teachers might not have endorsed a mayoral candidate yet, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been busy picking politicians to support. The union has endorsed candidates in more than 40 local and citywide races, too.
The UFT endorsed 13 City Council candidates in their Democratic primary races at its Delegate Assembly meeting Wednesday night. Seven of them are running for seats whose current occupants cannot run again because of term limits. The union plans to endorse candidates for all 19 open council seats.
The union endorsed state Assemblywoman Inez Barron in the primary for the 42nd district, an East New York seat that has been filled by her husband Charles for the last 12 years. It’s support that Charles Barron could not secure last year while running against Hakeem Jeffries in a Democratic primary for Congress. In that race, the UFT opted not to endorse either candidate.
The UFT is also supporting one of its own in the 47th district primary, which encompasses several southern Brooklyn neighborhoods. Mark Treyger, a civics teacher and union delegate from New Utrecht High School, officially got the union’s support on Wednesday evening.
Treyger opposes school closures and co-locations and wants to see the city create a separate district dedicated entirely to Career and Technical Education, according to the UFT’s website.
The union has also waded into citywide and borough president races, previously endorsing Robert Jackson, chair of the council’s education committee, for Manhattan borough president, and Scott Stringer, who is running uncontested for city comptroller.
No endorsement has been yet made in the crowded Democratic primary for public advocate, which includes State Sen. Daniel Squadron, City Councilwoman Letitia James, and Reshma Saujani, a former deputy to the incumbent, Bill de Blasio, who is running for mayor.
Here’s a list of candidates the union endorsed last night: Rosie Mendez (CD 2), Richard Torres (CD 15), Peter Koo (CD 20), Costa Constantinides (CD 22), James Van Bramer (CD 26), Donovan Richards (CD 31), Stephen Levin (CD 33), Laurie Cumbo (CD 35), Brad Lander (CD 39), Darlene Mealy (CD 41), Inez Barron (CD 42), Mark Treyger (CD 47) and Steven Matteo (CD 50). A complete list of the UFT’s endorsements is maintained here.