The NYPD sergeants union is backing Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin for governor over Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul amid fierce criticism of criminal justice reforms championed by Albany Democrats.
“We are living in precarious times, with little or no support from the political establishment at all levels of government. Rep. Zeldin has never wavered in his support of law enforcement, even during times when it might have seemed beneficial for him to do so.” Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong said in a statement.
Backing from the group adds another public safety union to Zeldin’s endorsement column as he seeks to overcome Hochul’s polling lead ahead of the Nov. 8 election.
His campaign says 25 law enforcement unions are backing his election, including the Police Conference of New York, an umbrella group of local law enforcement agencies that includes the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
Law enforcement unions have in recent years flocked to Republican candidates ahead of the November elections as conservative candidates campaign hard on their opposition to bail reform and other progressive ideas amid rising crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GOP statewide candidates Micheal Henry – who is challenging state AG Letitia James – and U.S. Senate hopeful Joe Pinion respectively got endorsements in recent days from a union representing state troopers and MTA Police Benevolent Association.
Pinion, a former Newsmax host, was also recently endorsed by the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association in his race against U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer of Brooklyn.
A Siena College poll released earlier this week shows all the GOP state candidates trailing their Democratic opponents by double digits.
Hochul is touting support from a long list of powerful unions like 1199 SEIU while picking up support from people working in public safety where she can.
The governor has helped address staffing shortages by authorizing new police officer academies, addressed pay inequity by increasing salaries for downstate officers to offset higher costs of living, and promoted the advancement of women in law enforcement with her pledge to increase the number of women in law enforcement to thirty percent,” James McCartney, president of the Police Benevolent Association of New York State, said while endorsing Hochul on Tuesday.
With reporting by Carl Campanile.