Unions endorse Levine, Richards, Torres in council speaker’s race

A group of influential New York City unions will publicly endorse City Council members Mark Levine, Donovan Richards and Ritchie Torres for City Council Speaker, according to a senior official at DC37.

A number of progressive leaning unions, including DC37, CWA, 32BJ, NYSNA, RWDSU and 1199SEIU have been meeting regularly to discuss favored choices for the speaker position. They’re among the numerous outside groups hoping to have influence in the pick.

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The endorsement of Levine, Richards and Torres may be most notable for the candidates not included, like City Council members Corey Johnson and Robert Cornegy, both of whom have been considered leading candidates in the race.

A statement drafted by the coalition and obtained by City & State reads:

“Now, more than ever, working people need bold leaders in New York City who will stand up against the forces of inequality and division. As leaders of unions representing over half a million working New Yorkers, we held a conversation with the Speaker candidates so they could hear our members’ concerns and share their own plans for the future of working people in our city.  We are united in supporting the candidates that we think are the best choices for moving our city forward: Donovan Richards, Mark Levine and Ritchie Torres.”

The DC37 official said the speaker candidates were notified of the endorsement earlier today.