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, as President Spence wrote in his Message to members in the September issue of the Communicator, PEF asks 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 your regional PAC cmte (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
• 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
Legislative Office Responsibilities
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 – 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.f1618955749ep@oi1618955749notnA1618955749iDR1618955749
Region 1 Chairs – (Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Niagara, Wyoming)
Michele Silsby
800-462-1462 | gro.f1618955749ep@yb1618955749sliSM1618955749
Vincent Cicatello – PAC Co-Chair
800-462-1462 | gro.f1618955749ep@ol1618955749letac1618955749iCV1618955749
Joe McCann – PAC Co-Chair
800-462-1462 | gro.f1618955749ep@nn1618955749aCcMJ1618955749
Region 2 Chairs – (Alleghany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates)
Andrew Puleo
800-724-5001 | gro.f1618955749ep@oe1618955749luPA1618955749
Lauren Peffer – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5001 | moc.o1618955749ohay@1618955749reffe1618955749pneru1618955749al1618955749
Region 3 Chairs – (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne)
Colleen Williams
800-724-5003 | gro.f1618955749ep@sm1618955749ailli1618955749WC1618955749
Leisa Abraham – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5003 | gro.f1618955749ep@ma1618955749harbA1618955749L1618955749
Region 4 Chairs – (Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca)
Roberta Stafford
800-724-5004 | gro.f1618955749ep@dr1618955749offat1618955749SR1618955749
Gina Corona – PAC Co-Chair
315-243-6399 | gro.f1618955749ep@an1618955749orocg1618955749
Kenneth Brynien – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5004 | moc.o1618955749ohay@1618955749htenn1618955749eKnei1618955749nyrB1618955749
Region 5 Chairs – (Broome, Chenango, Delaware Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins)
David Dubofsky
800-724-4998 | gro.f1618955749ep@yk1618955749sfobu1618955749DD1618955749
Scott Staub – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-4998 | gro.f1618955749ep@bu1618955749atSS1618955749
Region 6 Chairs – (Hamilton, Herkimer, Fulton, Madison, Montgomery, Lewis, Oneida)
Daniel Joaquin – PAC Co-Chair
800-724-5005 | moc.o1618955749ohay@1618955749ss13a1618955749es1618955749
Region 7 Chair – (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence)
Virginia Davey
888-498-8532 | gro.f1618955749ep@ye1618955749vaDV1618955749
Vernon (Sam) Burns – PAC Co-Chair
Region 8 Chairs – (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Rensselaer, Warren, Washington)
Mike Blue
800-342-4306 | gro.f1618955749ep@eu1618955749lBM1618955749
Tom Comanzo – PAC Co-Chair
800-342-4306 | moc.l1618955749iamg@1618955749oznam1618955749oCT1618955749
Region 9 Chairs – (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester)
Diane Jaulus
800-548-4870 | gro.f1618955749ep@su1618955749luaJD1618955749
Daniel McCormack – PAC Co-Chair
800-548-4870 | moc.o1618955749ohay@1618955749022ro1618955749tagit1618955749sevnI1618955749rS1618955749
Region 10 Chairs – (Manhattan, Bronx)
Darlene Williams
800-522-8700 | gro.f1618955749ep@sm1618955749ailli1618955749WD1618955749
Tamara Martin – PAC Co-Chair
800-522-8700 | gro.f1618955749ep@ni1618955749traMT1618955749
Radhakrishna Mohan – PAC Co-Chair
800-522-8700 | gro.f1618955749ep@na1618955749hoMR1618955749
Region 11 Chairs – (Kings, Queens, Richmond)
Bernadette O’Conner
866-897-9775 | gro.f1618955749ep@re1618955749nnoCO1618955749B1618955749
Charles Roland – PAC Co-Chair
866-897-9775 | gro.f1618955749ep@dn1618955749aloRC1618955749
Region 12 Chairs – (Nassau, Suffolk)
Nora Higgins
800-832-5284 | gro.f1618955749ep@sn1618955749iggiH1618955749N1618955749
Kevin Wilson – PAC Co-Chair
Trustee
Christopher Buman
716-759-4932 | gro.f1618955749ep@na1618955749mubc1618955749
Retiree Representative
Bob Reynolds
moc.e1618955749vil@n1618955749erakn1618955749bob1618955749
Jim Carr
800-342-4306 x501 | moc.l1618955749iamg@1618955749dnalt1618955749roc.r1618955749racj1618955749
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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