Construction Unions Hold Back on Endorsements in Wake of Cuomo's Primary Loss
As other unions quickly endorsed Zohran Mamdani after his primary win, construction trades remained silent, revealing a potential shift in allegiances.
Despite unions lining up to support Zohran Mamdani after his Democratic nomination in June, the construction trades have remained conspicuously silent in their endorsements.
Within days of Andrew Cuomo's primary loss, unions that had previously endorsed the former governor have pivoted to publicly back the democratic socialist. However, at a joint press conference a week after the primary, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, 32BJ SEIU, and the New York State Nurses Association did not join in the endorsements, highlighting a potential shift in allegiances in the industry.
"He has made crystal clear that whenever there is a struggle, whenever there is a dispute between labor and management, he will be on our side," said 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg, who previously endorsed Cuomo. "We believe that he will be a champion for working people, and we are proud to support him."
The lack of support from construction unions, who have long been considered a powerful force in New York politics, could be a sign of a changing tide in the industry. With Mamdani's progressive platform and focus on workers' rights, it is possible that construction unions are shifting their allegiances to align with his views.
While no official statement has been made by the construction unions, the silence speaks volumes in a city where union endorsements can make or break a candidate's campaign.
https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2025/08/28/construction-unions-hold-off-on-mayoral-endorsements/