The Transport Workers Union Local 100, representing the city’s public transit workers, has endorsed Barry Grodenchik to replace former Queens Councilman Mark Weprin.
TWU, representing 38,000 active members, said in a statement that Mr. Grodenchik, a former assemblyman and deputy borough president, would bring a “fresh perspective” to the City Council.
“Barry Grodenchik’s record of public service and advocacy on behalf of working families’ issues in Queens is what led TWU Local 100 to support his candidacy,” TWU President John Samuelsen told the Observer. “Barry Grodenchik will bring both institutional knowledge and fresh perspective to the City Council. We will do everything we can to help him get elected as our new City Council Member in the 23rd District.”
TWU’s decision to endorse Mr. Grodenchik comes as several other major labor unions have thrown their weight behind a top rival in the Democratic primary, Rebecca Lynch. Ms. Lynch, a former City Hall staffer and Democratic district leader, has the endorsement of the labor-backed Working Families Party and 32BJ SEIU, among other unions.
TWU, though prominent, isn’t known for being a deciding factor in local elections. But Mr. Grodenchik has the support of the Queens Democratic Party and a host of elected officials, including Mr. Weprin. Mr. Weprin recently resigned to take a position in the Cuomo administration. The unions represent firefighters and sanitation workers recently endorsed Mr. Grodenchik as well.
Mr. Grodenchik is also up against Democrats Ali Najmi, Bob Friedrich, Celia Dosamantes and Satnam Singh Parhar.
The Democratic primary will be held September 10.