Lancman, Jeffries garner PEF endorsements in June 26 congressional primaries


By SHERRY HALBROOK PEF has endorsed two candidates for


open congressional seats who are facing stiff competition for the Democratic ballot line in November. The candidates are


Rory Lancman and Hakeem Jeffries who are running in Queens and Brooklyn, respectively. Currently members of the state Assembly, they both held the line against heavy pressure to vote for pension Tier 6. Whether they will be


members to turn out for this June primary that’s only for congressional candidates,” said PEF Legislative Director and Counsel Brian Curran. This is the first time New York has


held a special primary for congressional candidates and holding a primary in June is also a first. In New York state, voters must be enrolled in a political party to vote in that party’s primary. Since the Republicans have a


LANCEMAN JEFFRIES


the Democratic nominees in the November 6 general election will be decided in a primary election June 26. “We encourage PEF


statewide primary to decide whom they will run against incumbent U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, every county will hold a primary June 26. The boundaries of congressional districts were redrawn this year, and many counties are also holding primaries on that date to choose party nominees for representing the districts in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a member of the Assembly,


Lancman has supported PEF on many issues in addition to voting against pension Tier 6. He is the sponsor of the


COPE buys hope When you pledge $2 per pay period to PEF COPE, you join thousands of other PEFmembers


working to turn the tide of privatization, understaffing and devalued public service that threaten you and the quality services you deliver.


COPE is the Committee On Political Education COPE is the only way federal election law allows PEFmembers and other labor


unionmembers to work together in financially supporting political candidates for national office who will support legislation, funding and policies that promote: • Quality public services at the federal, state and local levels; • Fair labor and wage laws, healthy and safe workplaces, Social Security, Medicare and pension protections; and


• Affordable, quality public education and health care, a clean, crime-free environment, and other issues important to PEFmembers and their families.


How are COPE contributions spent? Voluntary COPE contributions are used to support candidates PEF has endorsed for federal office.


(Federal law limits labor unions to using only COPE funds to support candidates for federal office.) Typically, endorsements are debated andmade by the PEF Executive Board with the advice and recommendations of its statewide


and regional political action committees. Approximately 100 PEFmembers serve on these political action committees that


interview candidates and review their voting records and positions on issues important to PEFmembers and working families.


It’s easy to enroll in COPE If you would like to enroll in COPE, call (800) 724-4997 to request an authorization card.


Please Note: The COPE contribution levelmentioned here is only a suggested amount. It is up


to individualmembers to decide whether they want to contribute and howmuch. The union is prohibited by law fromdiscriminatory treatment ofmembers based on their participation in COPE or lack of it.


Page 6—The Communicator June 2012


In compliance with federal election law, the cost of printing and disseminating this information is paid for by the New York State Public Employees Federation— Committee on Political Education (COPE), a separate, segregated fund at PO Box 12414, Albany, NY 12212; phone: (518) 785-1900; and was not authorized by any candidate or candidateʼs committee.


PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


Safe Patient Handling bill, as well as other legislation PEF supports. Lancman is running against another


state Assembly member and two New York City Council members to be the Democratic candidate in the 6th Congressional District. The 6th CD incumbent, Gary


Ackerman, is not seeking re-election. Jeffries is running against a NYC


Council member in the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District. Jeffries, too, has stood steadfastly with PEF in the state Assembly against Tier 6 and has joined PEF in opposing plans to close Kingsboro Psychiatric Center in Brooklyn. The incumbent, Ed Towns, is not


running for re-election in the 8th CD. In compliance with federal election law, the


cost of printing and disseminating this endorsement is paid for by the New York State Public Employees Federation and was not authorized by any candidate or candidateʼs committee.


POLITICAL ACTION


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