By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

District Council 37 has endorsed New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall for governor in the Sept. 10 primary election. Executive Director Lillian Roberts announced the union's choice May 22 at a press conference held during the State Democratic Convention.

DC 37's decision came after the union held a gubernatorial forum May 9, where more than 1,200 members heard directly from Mr. McCall and Andrew Cuomo, the candidates vying for the Democratic Party nomination. In an informal poll after the two had departed, members showed overwhelming support for Mr. McCall.

Political Action Committee Chair Leonard Allen conveyed the members' sentiment to the DC 37 Screening Committee and Executive Board, which both voted unanimously to recommend Mr. McCall. The DC 37 Delegates Council voted overwhelmingly May 21 to endorse him.

An important part of the democratic process was played out May 9 at union headquarters as DC 37 hosted for the first time a forum to determine which Democratic candidate for governor would gain the union's backing in the September primary.

"I am so proud I am about to burst," said Executive Director Lillian Roberts at the sight of the packed union hall. The overflow audience was a sea of DC 37 green dotted with more than 200 city Lifeguards in the orange T-shirts of Locals 461 and 508.

"You may be Democrat, Republican or Independent, but tonight we are one at DC 37," she said. "We are intelligent people. We will listen before we make up our minds."

The event underscored the union's clout as a major player in New York politics. The February return of DC 37 to its headquarters one block from Ground Zero has enabled the union to rev the engines of its Green Machine and organize its volunteers for a citywide get-out-the-vote effort. The union typically mobilizes more than 1,200 volunteers for phone banks and literature distribution.

Candidates from all sides covet the union's endorsement, because with 125,000 active members in the downstate region and 50,000 retirees, DC 37 has the potential to make or break a political contestant.

DC 37's new leadership made a point of offering members an opportunity to hear firsthand from Mr. McCall and former U.S. Secretary of Housing Andrew Cuomo, and Mr. Allen organized the forum with staff of the Political Action Dept.

Each candidate gave a three-minute opening statement, took questions from the audience, and concluded with a three-minute summation of his platform. "The state is adrift. There is no leadership, direction or focus. The governor has failed us; he has turned his back on the needs of working families," said Mr. McCall, who donned a green DC 37 Everyday Heroes jacket. Mr. McCall rose from humble beginnings, he said, recalling his mother's struggle to raise six children in public housing. He credits his success to her emphasis on education.

If he is elected governor, Mr. McCall said, "All children would get a first-class education."

Mr. McCall outlined a platform that included revitalizing the economy by creating more jobs and affordable housing, and reducing prescription costs for seniors. As state comptroller, he more than doubled the pension funds to $115 billion, which allowed New York to become the only state that provides retirees with a permanent COLA.

After his presentation, Mr. McCall walked through the audience and shook hands with members. The gesture energized the room and helped win their enthusiastic support for his candidacy.

A self-described Clinton Democrat, Mr. Cuomo said his father Mario Cuomo's 12 years as governor provided a "legacy to the office." He added, "My career is about helping those at the bottom reach the top."

The catastrophic events of Sept. 11 and the urgent need for recovery have broadened the state's role in New York City's economy. The next governor will face tough projects such as funding the rebuilding of lower Manhattan, revitalizing the economy, and strengthening the public health system as a defense against terrorism.

DC 37 members said they identified with Mr. McCall's life experience and appreciated his many years as a leader in public service. H. Carl McCall has had a distinguished career as state comptroller, state senator, Board of Education president, United Nations ambassador, commissioner of the state Division of Human Rights, bank vice president and New York Stock Exchange board member.

"We intend to be a major player in the election of the next governor," said Ms. Roberts. "Carl McCall will have the full institutional power of DC 37 behind him in the Democratic primary."