After initially supporting incumbent state Senator Jose Peralta for re-election, a local union announced on May 25 announced that it’s switching sides and backing his challenger, Jessica Ramos, in the Democratic primary.
The United Auto Workers Union Region 9A endorsed Ramos, the Jackson Heights resident running against Peralta for New York’s 13th Senate District. Peralta is a former member of the Independent Democratic Caucus (IDC). The IDC, which irked many rank-and-file Democrats for aligning with state Senate Republicans to keep the GOP in control of the chamber, recently reunited with the Senate Democratic Conference.
According to her campaign website, she has been a staunch advocate for labor unions and workers’ rights in Albany. In addition to labor, Ramos supports such issues as MTA reform, rent reform laws, funding public schools and immigrant rights.
“Jessica Ramos has been on the front lines fighting for working people in New York for decades, and the United Auto Workers Union Region 9A is proud to endorse her campaign for State Senate. Jessica is from our community, and she shares our values. Jessica is a labor champion who has advocated for good union jobs and fought to preserve benefits for workers across the state. New York’s working families need a state Senator who will fight for fair wages, affordable housing and fully funded public schools — and Jessica is the leader we need,” said UAW Region 9A director Julie Kushner.
According to their website, the UAW Region 9A represents 50,000 active and retired members throughout New England, Puerto Rico and the eastern part of New York state, including New York City and Long Island. In addition to Ramos and Peralta, the organization has given their support to other local Queens politicians in the past, including Councilmen Jimmy Van Bramer and Daniel Dromm.
The Senate hopeful expressed her gratitude for the UAW endorsement, emphasizing the importance of supporting all aspects of labor and workers’ rights.
“The United Auto Workers Union Region 9A help drive this city’s economic engine, and I’m proud to have their endorsement today. Every day, the UAW fights for strong wages, good healthcare and essential job protections for its hardworking members. In Albany, I will continue to be a tireless advocate for labor — and I’m deeply honored to have the UAW in our corner as we work to build a true Democratic majority in Albany,” Ramos said.
Ramos also has endorsements from dozens of organizations and individuals including New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Councilmen Costa Constantinides and Jimmy Van Bramer, Tenants PAC, The People for Bernie, TrueBlue NY, Empire State Indivisible, NOIDCNY, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, John Leguizamo and the Himalayan Democratic Club.
The primary between Ramos and Peralta is scheduled for Sept. 13, with the winner advancing to the November general election.
