PEP, October 2006: Primary Day: Victories for union candidates

"Volunteering is a chance to let politicians know our needs and a chance to make a difference."
— Michelle Hanse, Local 768

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

DC 37 celebrated huge wins on Primary Day, Tuesday, Sept. 12. Union-endorsed candidates Eliot Spitzer won the Democratic nod for governor and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton took the Democratic nomination for re-election.

With help from scores of DC 37 volunteers, both candidates captured more than 80 percent of the vote for landslide victories. They each will go on to face Republican challengers in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Additionally, the DC 37 Executive Board voted Sept. 13 to endorse two Democratic Primary winners for the Nov. 7 election — Andrew Cuomo for state Attorney General and City Council member Yvette Clarke for U.S. Congress.

As votes were tallied in districts around the Big Apple, it was evident the DC 37 Green Machine of union volunteers succeeded in getting out the vote — and DC 37’s message. Union volunteers hit the streets and bus and subway stops in the early morning and later that afternoon and evening. At phone banks in the union hall, volunteers called thousands of union members to urge them to vote for DC 37-endorsed candidates.

“I think it’s important to get the issues out,” said Michelle Hanse, a Community Service Aide in Local 768 who has been a political action volunteer for five years. “Volunteering is a chance to let politicians know our needs and a chance to make a difference.”

Political Action Director Wanda Williams offered special praise to locals 1549, 461 and 508 for the large numbers of volunteers they produced. She said, “The part our members play on Election Day completes the electoral process of assisting with electing our friends into government.”

In many of the city’s more hotly contested state Senate races, the majority of DC 37-endorsed candidates prevailed: John Sabini was the victor in District 13; Eric Adams trounced his opponents, taking 62 percent of the vote; District 21 incumbent Sen. Kevin Parker defeated his challenger by holding 61 percent, and Sen. Velmanette Montgomery of District 18 won decisively after being challenged by former City Council member Tracey Boyland. Also, Hakeem Jeffries won with 64 percent of the vote in state Assembly District 57.

Although DC 37 member Morshed Alam lost his race for the state Assembly seat in Queens District 25, the Bangladeshi immigrant made a notable showing, carrying almost 25 percent of the vote.

Volunteers needed
DC 37 member Thomas Jackson was a very active member of Clerical Administrative Local 1549. He volunteered in every election, said his wife, Linda Pettiford Jackson. “When he died on June 21, I thought volunteering in the primary would carry on his tradition,” she said. “DC 37 and Local 1549 have been very supportive since his death, and this is my way of saying thanks. Volunteering is what my husband would have wanted me to do.”

Food Stamp Eligibility Specialist Ernest Gassant, a Local 1549 member, volunteered for the first time Sept. 12. He was very pleased with what he saw on Primary Day. “We had a great response,” said Gassant, a Flatbush resident. “The people I met were very receptive. Actions speak louder than words and this was my chance to get involved and make a change in my neighborhood.”

Members are needed to carry on this proud DC 37 tradition by volunteering to help get out the vote Nov. 7 in the general election. You can volunteer to help elect candidates friendly to working people by returning the coupon at right.