Carlucci lands early labor endorsement in primary to succeed Nita Lowey

Senator David Carlucci is the first candidate in the race for Congress in New York’s 17^thdistrict to receive a major labor endorsement

New York’s International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 363 announced today that it has endorsed State Senator David Carlucci for Congress in New York’s 17th congressional district, representing Westchester and Rockland Counties.

Longtime Rep. Nita Lowey, the Chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that she will be retiring at the end of the current term.

“With the labor movement and middle class under attack in Washington, D.C., we need a Congressman like David Carlucci who has a proven track record of delivering results and protecting middle-class workers. He has improved conditions for working families in New York by passing a $15 minimum wage law, 12 weeks of paid family leave, deductibility of union-dues, and policies to protect union members following the Janus decision,” said IBEW Local Union 363’s Business Manager, Sam Fratto.

05-nita-lowey-42-25649993.w710.h473.2x — Nita Lowey has served as a U.S. Representative from New York since 1989. She graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and Mount Holyoke College, before working on Mario Cuomo’s 1974 campaign for lieutenant governor of New York. She then served as the assistant secretary of state for 13 years.

“Working men and women need a champion like Carlucci who knows what middle-class issues are and will bring those concerns to the national table. Normally, IBEW Local 363 does not endorse this early nor do we endorse candidates in primary races. However, we feel very strongly that Senator David Carlucci would be the best person and best candidate to represent the middle-class people of both Rockland and Westchester Counties. We look forward to working hard to get him elected,” Fratto added.

Carlucci said it’s an honor to have the union’s endorsement.

“It’s an honor to receive the support of the hardworking men and women of IBEW Local Union 363. As our next member of Congress, I will fight to protect workers’ rights to bargain, organize, and receive fair wages and benefits. The labor movement was founded in New York, and I plan to stand shoulder to shoulder with our union members against anyone on the federal level who puts their rights in jeopardy,” Carlucci said.

IBEW Local Union 363 was founded in Rockland County and represents thousands of members from the Hudson Valley and Upper New York State in electrical construction, voice and data cabling, telecommunications, photovoltaic, utility workers, electrical manufacturing, electrical supplies and distribution, public sector maintenance and general product manufacturing.

It had been rumored that Chelsea Clinton was considering a run for the seat.