Political Action
Dear PEF Members,
Every election matters. Who we choose on November 3 to represent us in the New York State Senate, Assembly, Congress and the White House, will have a drastic impact on the future of organized labor in this country.
So much is at stake: Wages, benefits, workplace safety, health care — everything we collectively bargain for is on the line. We need elected leaders who support PEF priorities.
That’s why I’m glad you came to this page to inform yourself before Election Day. Here are the key dates between now and November 3:
• If you’re not already registered to vote, October 9 is the last day to do that in New York.
• Early voting begins on October 24. Find your polling place here.
• If you are voting via absentee ballot this year, the last day to request one is October 27. Additional instructions and deadlines regarding absentee voting can be seen here.
Finally, we ask that you educate yourself about who your union has endorsed prior to casting your vote. Each potential candidate was sent a labor questionnaire from your regional political action committee (PAC). Your PAC then attempted to interview each candidate in person and recommended candidates for endorsement to the PEF statewide political action committee (SWPAC). These recommendations were based on the candidates’ support for PEF policies and previous voting records. The SWPAC reviewed all local recommendations to ensure those recommendations corresponded with PEF legislative initiatives and will bolster union interests. The Executive Board voted on August 28 and 29 to create a final slate of candidates who moved through the many steps to earn a coveted PEF endorsement.
• 2020 PEF-endorsed Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
– Help phone bank for Biden at https://joebiden.com/call/
• 2020 PEF Senate Endorsed Candidates
• 2020 PEF Endorsements for U.S. Congress
• 2020 PEF-endorsed Assembly Candidates
Thank you again for your involvement in the electoral process. Your vote matters. Your union matters. Together, let’s make our voices heard.
| Wayne Spence | Randi DiAntonio | |||
| President | Vice President | |||
| SWPAC Chair |
Legislative Office
Role of the Legislative Office:
Identify legislation/budget initiatives that will advance or endanger PEF members’ working conditions and other interests and working to stop or get approval of such legislation/budget initiatives.
Work with legislative leaders, legislators and their staffs to introduce and advance legislation identified as a priority in PEF’s State & Federal legislative agendas.
Coordinate PEF’s lobbying efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.
PEF Endorsement Process
Regional PACs interview and endorse candidates. Slates sent to SWPAC. Once approved, slate submitted to Executive Board, which includes PEF leadership, for review and final approval. PEF-endorsed candidates had a proven record of supporting PEF’s legislative and budget priorities.
Campaign Contributions – State and Federal
PEF’s contributions to state and local candidates come from members’ dues. These funds are held in its political action fund. New York State (NYS) Election Law sets the parameters for these contributions. Additionally, PEF has developed statewide PAC guidelines for the use of these monies.
PEF’s federal campaign funds come from voluntary member contributions to its Committee on Political Education (COPE) Fund. PEF works in concert with its two international unions – American Federation of Teachers and Service Employees International Union – on federal elections and campaign funding and activities.
Legislative Staff:
Patrick Lyons – Legislative Director
Leah Gonzalez – Political Director
Scott Lorey – Political Organizer/Lobbyist-State
Danielle Little-Thomson – Legislative Assistant
Early Voting and Absentee Voting by Mail
Early Voting and Absentee Voting by Mail – By County
https://www.ny.gov/early-voting-and-absentee-voting-mail-or-dropbox#county-boards
PEF Political Endorsements - 2020
2020 PEF Senate Endorsed Candidates
2020 PEF Endorsements for U.S. Congress
2020 PEF Endorsed Assembly Candidates
Legislative Priorities
Working closely with the PEF Legislative Department, the Statewide PAC organizes and coordinates political activity on a statewide basis. Each Regional PAC Chair coordinates political activities and programs between the Statewide PAC and the Regional PAC.
Each year, the SWPAC receives membership input for our Legislative Agenda. With technical assistance from our Legislative staff, the SWPAC puts together a draft of our legislative priorities which is reviewed and approved by our Executive Board and then voted on by the 1,000 convention delegates. Our agenda is then communicated to all state legislators and promoted throughout the legislative session.
Political Action Committee
NYS-PEF
1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Road
Albany NY 12212-2414
W: 800-342-4306 / Fax: 518-783-1117 | gro.f1603741115ep@oi1603741115notnA1603741115iDR1603741115
Region 1 Chairs – (Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Niagara, Wyoming)
Michele Silsby
800-462-1462 | gro.f1603741115ep@yb1603741115sliSM1603741115
Vincent Cicatello – PAC Co-Chair
800-462-1462 | gro.f1603741115ep@ol1603741115letac1603741115iCV1603741115
Joe McCann – PAC Co-Chair
800-462-1462 | gro.f1603741115ep@nn1603741115aCcMJ1603741115
Region 2 Chairs – (Alleghany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates)
Andrew Puleo
800-724-5001 | gro.f1603741115ep@oe1603741115luPA1603741115
Lauren Peffer – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5001 | moc.o1603741115ohay@1603741115reffe1603741115pneru1603741115al1603741115
Region 3 Chairs – (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne)
Colleen Williams
800-724-5003 | gro.f1603741115ep@sm1603741115ailli1603741115WC1603741115
Leisa Abraham – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5003 | gro.f1603741115ep@ma1603741115harbA1603741115L1603741115
Region 4 Chairs – (Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca)
Roberta Stafford
800-724-5004 | gro.f1603741115ep@dr1603741115offat1603741115SR1603741115
Gina Corona – PAC Co-Chair
315-243-6399 | gro.f1603741115ep@an1603741115orocg1603741115
Kenneth Brynien – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5004 | moc.o1603741115ohay@1603741115htenn1603741115eKnei1603741115nyrB1603741115
Region 5 Chairs – (Broome, Chenango, Delaware Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins)
David Dubofsky
800-724-4998 | gro.f1603741115ep@yk1603741115sfobu1603741115DD1603741115
Scott Staub – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-4998 | gro.f1603741115ep@bu1603741115atSS1603741115
Region 6 Chairs – (Hamilton, Herkimer, Fulton, Madison, Montgomery, Lewis, Oneida)
Daniel Joaquin – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5005 | moc.o1603741115ohay@1603741115ss13a1603741115es1603741115
Region 7 Chair – (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence)
Virginia Davey
888-498-8532 | gro.f1603741115ep@ye1603741115vaDV1603741115
Vernon (Sam) Burns – PAC Co-Chair
Region 8 Chairs – (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Rensselaer, Warren, Washington)
Mike Blue
800-342-4306 | gro.f1603741115ep@eu1603741115lBM1603741115
Tom Comanzo – PAC Co-Chair
800-342-4306 | moc.l1603741115iamg@1603741115oznam1603741115oCT1603741115
Region 9 Chairs – (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester)
Diane Jaulus
800-548-4870 | gro.f1603741115ep@su1603741115luaJD1603741115
Daniel McCormack – PAC Co-Chair
800-548-4870 | moc.o1603741115ohay@1603741115022ro1603741115tagit1603741115sevnI1603741115rS1603741115
Region 10 Chairs – (Manhattan, Bronx)
Darlene Williams
800-522-8700 | gro.f1603741115ep@sm1603741115ailli1603741115WD1603741115
Tamara Martin – PAC Co-Chair
800-522-8700 | gro.f1603741115ep@ni1603741115traMT1603741115
Radhakrishna Mohan – PAC Co-Chair
800-522-8700 | gro.f1603741115ep@na1603741115hoMR1603741115
Region 11 Chairs – (Kings, Queens, Richmond)
Bernadette O’Conner
866-897-9775 | gro.f1603741115ep@re1603741115nnoCO1603741115B1603741115
Charles Roland – PAC Co-Chair
866-897-9775 | gro.f1603741115ep@dn1603741115aloRC1603741115
Region 12 Chairs – (Nassau, Suffolk)
Nora Higgins
800-832-5284 | gro.f1603741115ep@sn1603741115iggiH1603741115N1603741115
Kevin Wilson – PAC Co-Chair
Trustee
Christopher Buman
716-759-4932 | gro.f1603741115ep@na1603741115mubc1603741115
Retiree Representative
Bob Reynolds
moc.e1603741115vil@n1603741115erakn1603741115bob1603741115
Jim Carr
800-342-4306 x501 | moc.l1603741115iamg@1603741115dnalt1603741115roc.r1603741115racj1603741115
Political Action Volunteer Form
One way PEF can enhance its political power is by organizing members to volunteer for union endorsed candidates. A strong volunteer base is an essential component of any successful campaign. That is why PEF is currently recruiting politically active members who would like to volunteer their time to work on campaigns for local, state, and congressional campaigns as well as the upcoming Presidential election. Volunteers will be involved with phone banking, literature drops, and rallies. If you are interesting in volunteering, please complete the below form:
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