BY ACACIA RODRIGUEZ

The union’s candidate screening process is complete, the delegates voted, and the endorsements have been decided: Adrienne Adams is District Council 37’s top choice for mayor.

For the first time, the union also endorsed a ranked choice slate of mayoral candidates, placing New York State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani second and State Senator Zellnor Myrie third.

Early voting for New York City’s June 24 Primary Election kicks off on Saturday, June 14, which is also the last date to register to vote. When voters fill out their ballots, they have the option of ranking their first through fifth choices for the offices of Mayor, Borough President, Comptroller, Public Advocate, and City Council.

“Each candidate made presentations to our members on the screening committee, were affirmed by our Executive Board, and member-elected delegates had the final approval,” said Henry Garrido, DC 37 Executive Director. “The members chose experienced candidates who could govern with a steady hand and without controversy at a time when a lot of changes are coming from Washington.”

A New Yorker raised in southeast Queens, Adams’ platform focuses on expanding services for families and righting a political landscape fraught with scandal and inequality.

When DC 37 was battling layoffs at the Brooklyn Museum due to financial challenges, Adams, in her role as City Council Speaker, helped the cultural institution obtain the resources needed to preserve those jobs. She is a reliable asset in supporting, funding and demanding respect for civil servants.

“We’ve had decades of politicians who only show up when they need votes, who treat workers like props, not priorities,” Adams said. “We don’t need chaos or ego, we need leadership that puts people first.”

DC 37 led the charge of endorsements from other unions, including the Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180 and Unite Here Local 100. Each pledged to deliver member votes.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to door knock, phone bank, and make sure our members know why we are here supporting Adrienne and why she has earned our vote and our trust,” Garrido said.

DC 37 members play a critical role in the election process. Polls show that union members vote at a higher rate than the general population, and as a voting bloc, overwhelmingly support union-endorsed candidates. During the upcoming election, members are choosing who to trust with managing New York City’s schools, public services, parks, hospitals, and their future collective bargaining contracts.

When we vote, we win

Five prominent labor unions have again united to bolster their combined 320,000 members and voters in New York City to elect pro-worker candidates for City Council. Labor Strong 2025 includes DC 37, 32BJ SEIU, CWA District 1, Hotel Trades Council (HTC), and the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA). When elected, Labor Strong candidates will create a majority of union supporters in the council.

“Unifying five of the most powerful unions not only gives candidates a labor stamp of approval, it’s also a promise to do the work, to put the funding and the members behind endorsed candidates and get them elected,” said Odetty Tineo, DC 37’s Political Action & Legislative Director. “It’s crucial to set a labor tone within the City Council during these races.”

The City Council is the legislative body that collaborates with the mayor’s administration to determine legislative and budgetary matters. With pro-worker candidates at the helm of the City Council, member voices have a seat at the table at a time when threats from the federal level could mean layoffs and budget cuts.

“Solidarity is our strength — as individual unions and as a Coalition — and there has never been a more critical time to come together and fight for candidates who will put our workers and working families first,” Garrido said.

Scan to see who is on your ballot for the June 24 Primary Election at https://bit.ly/4jz6HFb.

The New York City Primary Election for Mayor and City Council is June 24, 2025. Early voting extends from June 14-22, 2025. Candidates will be chosen using ranked choice voting. Find out more at https://bit.ly/4kRGORM.

How to Mark Your Ballot

• Rank candidates in order of preference, with #1 as your first choice
• Choose as many or as few candidates as you like — up to five in total
• Fill in only one candidate per column