With the Democratic primary just over three months away, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz continues to pile up endorsements from organized labor unions in her re-election bid.
On March 16, her campaign announced that Katz was endorsed by the New York City District Council of Carpenters, which represents nine local carpenters unions, and SMART Local 28 Sheet Metal Workers.
“The hardworking men and women of organized labor build this city and keep it moving every day. They make their voices heard for fair working conditions, safe streets and fair courtrooms and I’m honored to heed their calls,” Katz said. “It has been my honor to deliver for them over my first three years, and with their partnership, we will continue to deliver for Queens in my next four.”
The unions represent thousands of New Yorkers living and working throughout the five boroughs.
“Our 20,000 members demand a safe workplace, a safe home and a district attorney bold enough to pursue wage theft crimes that are far from victimless,” NYC District Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary-Treasurer Joseph A. Geiger said. “Melinda Katz’s leadership in the Queens district attorney’s office is exactly what we need to make our city safe for workers and all New Yorkers.”
In recent weeks, Katz landed the support of SEIU 32BJ, 1199SEIU, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council and many others.
“SMART Local 28 is excited to endorse District Attorney Melinda Katz for another term,” said Local 28 Sheet Metal Workers President and Business Manager Eric Meslin. “Melinda Katz has always fought for organized labor, never shying away from picking the tough fights for our working class. Over her first term, she has made our neighborhoods safer and kept fraud off our job sites. We’re looking forward to building on this progress in her second term.”
Katz will face challenger George Grasso in the June 27 Democratic primary.
Grasso, a Douglaston resident, retired as an administrative judge at Queens Supreme Court, criminal term, in August 2022 to run for district attorney. Grasso served more than three decades in the NYPD, rising through the ranks to become the first deputy police commissioner before stepping down in 2010 and heading to the bench.
