The Local 802 Executive Board has made a number of endorsements of candidates running in the September primary elections. They include:

Danny O’Donnell (69^th Assembly District)

O’Donnell is a public interest lawyer, a founding member of the New York City chapter of Citizen Action, and a member of the Morningside Heights Historic District Committee, who attended George Washington University and CUNY Law School. He has been a staunch advocate for protecting affordable housing, providing access to affordable, quality health care and ensuring a living wage. O’Donnell has pledged to enlist the support of colleagues in labor struggles, join picket lines in support of workers’ rights, and demand that employers agree to neutrality and card checks when workers seek to organize, and rehire workers fired for union activity.

Kevin Parker (21^st Senate District)

Parker’s professional background reflects a wide range of public service and commitment to a better New York. As the Special Assistant to New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, he currently is responsible for intergovernmental relations in New York City and is the liaison between the Comptroller and city, state and federal elected officials, as well as liaison to unions, community-based organizations and constituents. In this capacity, he tracks city legislation and monitors City Council activities for the Comptroller.

Local 802, as well as the New York City Central Labor Council, endorsed Parker for a City Council seat last year. He has promised to advocate for the promotion of culture, particularly live music.

Jose Peralta (39^th Assembly District)

Peralta, a graduate of Queens College, advocates on behalf of immigrants at the New York City Central Labor Council. He has worked on a number of political campaigns, including Brian McLaughlin for Assembly, Toby Stavisky for NYS Senate, Alan Hevesi for NYC Comptroller and Hillary Rodham Clinton for United States Senate. He is a member of the Northside Democratic Club, the William Jefferson Clinton Club, the Dominican American Society, Community Board 3 and the Inter-American Political and Civic Parliament.

Peralta’s work with the NYC Central Labor Council has been extensive, including organizing campaigns, efforts to increase voter participation, and leadership on the AFL-CIO’s Hands Off Social Security Campaign.

Eric Schneiderman (31^st Senate District)

New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman is facing a difficult re-election fight this year in the newly redrawn 31^st Senatorial District. His district now runs from West 79th Street through upper Manhattan and into Riverdale. For the last four years, he has been a strong ally of Local 802 in its contract negotiations, organizing, and arts advocacy. He supported the union during the New York City Ballet dispute, wrote letters on 802’s behalf and spoke at the Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center rally, and has continually fought for arts education funding.

Schneiderman has campaigned for legislation that would improve the lives of New Yorkers on many levels: gun control, clinic access protection, tougher environmental laws, women’s health, and hate crimes legislation. He plans to continue the fight to raise the minimum wage, repeal the Rockefeller drug laws, renew and strengthen rent regulations, and make sure the city’s children receive their fair share of public school funding.

Kirk Swanson (73^rd Assembly District)

Swanson is a union member and a member of the staff of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (UFCW), where he has coordinated efforts to improve the safety and health of workers in the dangerous food processing industry. Having started his career as a musician, he understands the life of a musician; on his campaign website (www.kirkswanson.org) he argues that government has an obligation to fund music and arts programs because they encourage creativity and expression in the classroom.

As a candidate for the State Assembly in 2000, Swanson narrowly missed winning the Democratic primary, by 27 votes. Outspent by his primary opponent, he worked tirelessly to meet the voters and secure over 25 institutional endorsements, including the Lexington Democratic Club, the Working Families Party, numerous unions, Our Town newspaper, and a “Preferred” rating from Citizens Union.

If you’d like to get involved in this year’s elections or want additional information, please contact Heather Beaudoin at (212) 245-4802, ext. 176.

Don’t forget to vote on Primary Day, Tuesday, Sept. 10, and in the general elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5. You have a voice – make it heard.