NYC firefighter unions back Andrew Cuomo for mayor, solidifying labor support
The unions representing FDNY members are backing ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor, solidifying the frontrunner's support among labor groups weeks before a Democratic Party primary.
Cuomo picked up the backing of the Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Uniformed Firefighters Officers Association after picking up endorsements from the department's ambulance workers' unions — EMS Local 2507 and EMS Officers Union Local 3621.
Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo picked up the backing of the Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Uniformed Firefighters Officers Association.
LP Media
'Throughout his time as governor, Andrew Cuomo consistently demonstrated that he values the lives, safety, and dignity of New York's firefighters and first responders,' said Andrew Ansbro, UFA president.
'During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the city was under siege, he ensured emergency services were prioritized for PPE [personal protective equipment] and testing long before federal support arrived.'
He also said Cuomo pushed through laws that protected 9/11 responders and their families.
Ansbro's praise of Cuomo's management of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York counters severe criticism that he mishandled the outbreak — particularly when his administration issued a controversial March 2020 edict that required nursing homes to admit recovering COVID-infected patients discharged from hospitals.
UFOA president James Brosi said Cuomo has supported the integrity of the civil service system and protecting pensions.
'As zoning changes and increased population density strain our resources, Andrew supports the expansion of public safety personnel and infrastructure to meet growing demands—ensuring that New York remains not only livable, but safe for all who call it home,' Brosi said.
Cuomo vowed to champion the bravest in the FDNY.
'Being a firefighter isn't just a job—it's a calling,' Cuomo said. 'The brave men and women of the FDNY put their lives on the line every day, in aid of others, without hesitation.'
Cuomo has solidified support among labor groups weeks before a Democratic Party primary.
Michael Nagle
In a statement, he mentioned the 343 firefighters killed responding to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that toppled the World Trade Centers, and others who later died from illnesses from exposure to toxic fumes.
'I will never forget their sacrifices, and I will work to ensure that every branch of government provides these heroes with the resources they deserve,' the ex-governor said.
Cuomo quickly emerged as the frontrunner in the mayoral primary despite having resigned as governor amid a slew of sexual misconduct claims he denies.
He has secured the lion's share of endorsements from labor unions compared to his rivals including: the Teamsters, health care workers 1199SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and most of the construction trade unions.
UFA, which represents 20,000 firefighters, endorsed Andrew Yang in the 2021 primary while current Mayor Eric Adams. had been previously received support from the UFOA — which has 7,500 members including lieutenants, captains, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, supervising fire marshals and medical officers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
11 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
The Latest: California challenges Trump's use of military in Los Angeles
Opponents of President Donald Trump 's administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the military parade in Washington for the Army's 250th anniversary — which coincides with Trump's birthday — as protests grow in response to his immigration policies. The 'No Kings' protests have been called, organizers say, to protect America's democracy as Trump vows to increase his deployment of military forces inside the United States. A federal court hearing is scheduled for Thursday challenging Trump's use of the National Guard and Marines to support immigration raids in Los Angeles. California leaders warn that the military intervention is the onset of a much broader effort by Trump to overturn norms at the heart of America's political system. Trump was booed and cheered at the Kennedy Center, where he and first lady Melania Trump attended the opening night of 'Les Misérables.' He's been remaking the Kennedy Center in his image as part of a campaign to rid American cultural institutions of what he describes as liberal ideology. Among the eight new vaccine policy advisers Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named to replace the CDC vaccine panel he abruptly dismissed this week are people who have spread misinformation and protested COVID-19 lockdowns. Here's the Latest: Attendees of the military parade in Washington this weekend will hear a familiar voice. Trump announced Thursday morning that Greenwood will be performing at the parade on Saturday, which marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and also happens to be the president's 79th birthday. Greenwood is the singer behind 'God Bless the USA,' which has been Trump's walk-on song at rallies for years. 'What a day it will be!!!' Trump wrote on his social media site. What to know about the 'No Kings' protests planned for Saturday The 'No Kings' protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego this Saturday during a military parade on what is also Trump's 79th birthday. The 'No Kings' theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the now former leader of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be 'dethroned' as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.
Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Andrew Cuomo Gets Bad News from New York Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's hopes for a political comeback may have hit a roadblock. A new poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling for Democrat Justin Brannan's city comptroller campaign on June 6 and June 7 among 573 likely voters, and reviewed by Politico, shows socialist Zohran Mamdani, 33, ahead of Cuomo for the first time, two weeks before the Democratic primary. Newsweek has contacted representatives of Cuomo and Mamdani for comment via email. Why It Matters A primary win for Cuomo, 67, would mark a dramatic political comeback, just four years after he resigned as New York governor in 2021 amid the threat of impeachment over sexual misconduct allegations, which he has consistently denied. No charges relating to the allegations have ever been brought against him. But this latest poll suggest he may face strong headwinds from voters still skeptical of his leadership. Democratic mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo, left, shakes hands with Zohran Mamdani, center, as Whitney Tilson reacts after participating in a Democratic mayoral primary debate, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in New York. Democratic mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo, left, shakes hands with Zohran Mamdani, center, as Whitney Tilson reacts after participating in a Democratic mayoral primary debate, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in New York. Yuki Iwamura/AP What To Know The poll showed Mamdani beating Cuomo 35 percent to 31 percent—a difference that is narrowly within the 4.1 percent margin of error. While Mamdani's strongest backing came from white and Asian voters, he also attracted 27 percent of Black voters and nearly one-third of Hispanic voters. Still, Andrew Cuomo maintains a solid lead among Black voters at 42 percent. Meanwhile, the survey also revealed a wide gap between the two leading candidates and the rest of the field. City Comptroller Brad Lander, despite his citywide role and heavy campaign spending, drew just 9 percent support. Former Comptroller Scott Stringer was at 5 percent, and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams trailed at 4 percent, even with high-profile endorsements from Attorney General Letitia James and labor giant District Council 37. The poll is the first to give Mamdani, who was endorsed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez earlier this month, a lead over Cuomo. The primary election is a rank-choice voting election, meaning voters have the opportunity to rank their five top choices for mayor. Since entering the race on March 1 to challenge Mayor Eric Adams, who will seek reelection as an independent, Cuomo has consistently held the frontrunner position, with most public polls showing him maintaining a comfortable lead. A Cuomo campaign poll conducted by Expedition Strategies and shared with Politico earlier this week showed the former governor leading Mamdani by 12 points—56 percent to 44 percent—after eight rounds of ranked-choice voting. That poll was conducted during the same period as the Public Policy Polling survey that had Mamdani in the lead. And a SurveyUSA poll conducted in mid-May 2025 showed that he was the top choice among likely Democratic voters for the upcoming June primary, with 43 percent support. He held a solid lead over his closest competitor, Mamdani, who had 11 percent. But some polls have shown Mamdani catching up to his opponent. That includes the most recent Data for Progress poll, which surveyed 819 likely Democratic primary voters between May 30 to June 4, and showed Mamdani 2 points behind Cuomo in a poll on the final ballot of the primary's rank-choice voting system. The poll also showed that Mamdani was polling 10 percent more favorable than Cuomo, at 58 percent to Cuomo's 48 percent Overall, Cuomo's support is strongest among Black voters (74 percent), voters over 50 (66 percent), and women (with a 58 percent to 42 percent edge over Mamdani). In contrast, Mamdani has built a solid base among voters under 50, leading with 61 percent, as well as among white voters (57 percent to 43 percent) and college-educated voters (58 percent to 42 percent). Zohran Mamdani has built momentum through social media and grassroots energy. His slick, attention-grabbing videos highlight proposals like free public bus service, government-run grocery stores, and a citywide rent freeze. As the race tightens, Cuomo has sharpened his criticism of Mamdani, calling him inexperienced and arguing that his proposals are unrealistic without significant tax hikes. Mamdani, however, insists his policies are designed to ease the burden on working-class New Yorkers. Mamdani told The New York Times that affordability is "the most important issue facing New Yorkers right now." What People Are Saying Zohran Mamdani told the New York Times: "There are far too many New Yorkers who do not know if they will be able to call themselves that next year, who do not know if they will be able to afford their rent, or their child care, their groceries, or even their MetroCard. "This is a city that we want to ensure does not become a museum or a relic of the working-class people who built it, but rather a living, breathing testament to the continuation of that story." Andrew Cuomo told the New York Times when asked what the most pressing issue is for New Yorkers: "Lack of management capacity evidenced through all of the above [affordability, public safety, President Trump or something else]. Lack of affordable housing, deterioration of quality of life—they all stem from poor management. Then the existential threat is Trump." What Happens Next Early voting in the June 24 primary is set to begin on Saturday. Mamdani and Cuomo are to participate in a debate Thursday evening.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What National Dems Can Learn From San Francisco
San Francisco has long been the countrys progressive proving ground. Its where ambitious ideas are tested, movements begin, and political trends take shape before the rest of the nation catches on. But something is changing. In the most famously liberal city in America, voters are no longer satisfied with symbolism or purity tests. They want results. And theyre beginning to reward a different kind of leadership. As members of the local Democratic Party, we have seen this shift firsthand. We call it the New Pragmatism, and it is already reshaping how our party shows up, governs, and earns trust. We first started to see a change in 2022, when voters recalled three school board members and the recently elected district attorney by wide margins and unseated the first incumbent elected district supervisor in city history. This wasnt a partisan shift. San Franciscos largely Democratic voters were rejecting a certain kind of politician: one who crowed about educational inequality but had no focus on improving student outcomes; with a position on global diplomacy but no idea how to respond to the overdose crisis; or one who could go viral but couldn't run a DAs office. It was a warning. San Francisco revealed a crucial truth. Voters still support Democratic principles, but they are demanding leaders who deliver. Last year, candidates who focused on basics like public safety, housing, and fixing systems beat louder or more symbolic opponents. The election of Daniel Lurie, a political outsider who ran on cleaning up open-air drug markets, reducing crime, and rooting out corruption, made the point clear. Show up. Fix things. Stay rooted in everyday struggles. That is what it looks like when Democratic values meet real-world results. But that was not the version of the party voters saw in much of the country. We became less of a party of working people and more of a party that explained things to them. Voters asked for outcomes, we gave them process and vibes. Eventually, they stopped asking. The voters drifting or bolting from the party are not asking us to become more like Republicans. They are asking us to become more like neighbors, problem-solvers, and public servants again. If Democrats want to rebuild trust and win back the majority, it starts with five principles we have seen play out right here at home. First, Democrats need to remember that all politics is still local, even when you are not. Voters feel government in daily life: grocery prices, rent, street cleanliness, or the DMV line. Whether you are in Congress or on a school board, your job is to make life work better where people live. Federal lawmakers should focus on lowering costs, not scoring points on cable news. State legislators should fix the achievement gap and help families stay afloat. All politics is local because life is local. Forget that, and we lose the people we serve. Second, we need to be practical, not performative. Voters arent asking Democrats to stop opposing Trump. They want us to fix whats broken, too. People want leaders who share their values and their urgency. They want officials who are serious, frustrated, and focused on results. Performative politics, like symbolic resolutions, theatrical statements, and policies that signal instead of solve, feel like a slap to voters just trying to get by. In San Francisco, when the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution on Gaza, many werent as outraged by the positions as they were frustrated that the city seemed more focused on global conflict than local crises. When people need competence and courage, political theater is the last thing they want. They want public servants who fight back and follow through. Third, Democrats need to take on power that matters. At every level of government, entrenched interests are standing in the way of progress, and voters are tired of seeing Democrats punch up at national villains while ignoring the ones right in front of them. That is why the party must reclaim this value: Use power where you are. If you are on a city council, your job is not to fix Gaza or Wall Street. It is to break the chokehold of NIMBY homeowners, streamline permitting, and make your city work for people living paycheck to paycheck. If you are in a state legislature, take on the fiefdoms and monopolies that stall projects and hoard resources. In Congress, do not hide behind symbolism. Use real tools like tax policy, regulation, and enforcement to shift wealth, protect rights, and challenge the powerful. Every level of government has a role. Use the power you have to level the playing field. Fourth, it is time to let go of sacred cows, whether they are policies or people. Democrats have never stood for rigidity. We have always stood for progress. Franklin Roosevelt said it best: "It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." That spirit made America fairer and freer. And it is what voters still expect from us. If a program no longer works, reform it. If a system is failing, replace it. The point is not to preserve what once worked. It is to keep making things work. That also means making space for new leadership and a generation living the realities we need to fix. The fate of fundamental rights and our democracy should not depend on the longevity and mental acuity of a few key octogenarians. Voters want a party that builds new leaders, not just protects old ones. Progress is not about defending the old playbook. It is about writing a better one. Fifth, we need to restore public trust by proving we deserve it. Voters are not just frustrated with government performance. They are increasingly convinced it is rigged. And too often, they are right. Corruption is a slow-moving acid. It eats away at faith in institutions, then at participation itself. When people believe public officials are in it for themselves, everything else we say stops mattering. Democrats should lead on ethical, accountable governance, not just in rhetoric but in real reforms. That means banning stock trades, embracing blind trusts, requiring stronger disclosures, and creating ethics commissions with teeth. But most of all, it means recognizing that good policy cannot survive bad politics. We cannot ask voters to trust us with big change if we do not hold ourselves accountable. They are paying attention. If we fail to clean up our act, they will find someone else who promises to. San Francisco has not solved it all. But we have seen something real take hold - at the ballot box, on doorsteps, and in the quiet shift back toward public service that works. It is about showing up, solving problems, using power, and being honest about what is broken and what can be fixed. It does not make headlines. It wins votes. And it rebuilds trust. That is what we mean by the New Pragmatism. It is not a retreat from Democratic ideals. It is how we make them matter. It is a politics that stands up to authoritarianism, brings down grocery bills, believes government can do big things, and knows that none of it matters unless we make it work. If Democrats across the country want to win again, they should start paying attention. Nancy Tung is chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and a San Francisco prosecutor. & Eric Kingsbury is a member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and served as campaign manager for Mayor London Breed's 2024 re-election campaign.
