Teamsters endorse Mark Levine for comptroller, while some local chapters support Justin Brannan.
An umbrella group representing Teamsters unions in New York City has officially endorsed Mark Levine for the position of city comptroller. However, this endorsement has not gone unchallenged, as some individual locals within the organization have opted to support Justin Brannan for the fiscal watchdog role.
The Teamsters Joint Council 16 consists of 24 local unions, collectively representing over 120,000 workers across various sectors in New York City. The council’s endorsement of Levine, who currently serves as Manhattan’s borough president, reflects a perceived alignment with his commitment to union values and labor rights. Thomas Gesualdi, president of Teamsters Local 282 and leader of the joint council, emphasized the need for a comptroller who acknowledges and appreciates the significance of labor in the city’s economy. Gesualdi stated that the next comptroller should prioritize public funds to benefit working families.
Levine expressed his gratitude for the endorsement, noting that he feels “incredibly honored” to receive the backing of such a significant labor organization. In assessing the political landscape, it is noteworthy that labor councils typically engage in internal voting processes when determining whom to endorse in local elections. While representatives from Teamsters Joint Council 16 did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the voting breakdown among its locals for the comptroller race, it is evident that divisions exist within the ranks.
Notably, Local 831, which represents nearly 10,000 sanitation workers in the city, and Local 804, primarily comprising UPS delivery workers, have both publicly sided with Brannan. Brannan currently chairs the City Council’s Finance Committee and has built a robust coalition of support from other influential labor organizations, including 32BJ, the Transport Workers Union, and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. This backing is pivotal, especially in down-ballot races like the comptroller primaries, where voter turnout typically remains low.
As the race approaches the June 24 primary, there has been no public polling to gauge the candidates’ standings. Nevertheless, Levine appears to be leading in fundraising, with reported totals exceeding .9 million compared to Brannan’s .4 million. The outcome of this primary will likely hinge on the effectiveness of the endorsement efforts by various unions and the candidates’ ability to mobilize their bases. The landscape remains dynamic as both candidates gear up for what promises to be a closely watched electoral contest.
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