‘Powerful’ Health Workers Union Endorses Ferrer for New York City Mayor
New York's "powerful" health and human service union, 1119/SEIU -- the last and "most coveted" of the city's "major" labor unions to support a mayoral candidate -- has decided to endorse Fernando Ferrer in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, the New York Times reports. Of all the city's unions, 1199/SEIU has "perhaps the most powerful get-out-the-vote operations," which could "prove valuable" for Ferrer -- the Bronx borough president -- as there are several candidates in the Democratic primary. The Times reports that Dennis Rivera, the union's leader, was "torn" between supporting Ferrer or New York City Public Advocate Mark Green. However, Rivera, influenced by the union's large Hispanic membership and the candidate's "improved" standing in polls, decided to back Ferrer. Ferrer, who would be the first Puerto Rican mayor of New York City if elected -- recently formed a coalition of black and Latino leaders to support his campaign (Cooper/Nagourney, New York Times, 9/5).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.