How Much Do Endorsements Matter in NYC’s Local Races?
Four months out from the June primary, candidates are already touting their endorsements — which is when a prominent group or individual publicly supports a candidate. Endorsements can come from a number of sources: local community or religious leaders, labor unions, other politicians, or even celebrities. At best, they’re a way for a voter to see whether their views align with a given candidate’s.
"In a very crowded, low-information primary — with presumably incredibly low turnout — certain endorsements will matter because they will serve as shortcuts for voters who don’t necessarily have the desire or the bandwidth to sift through all the different policy proposals of the various candidates," explained Christina Greer, a political science professor at Fordham (and co-host of THE CITY’s FAQ NYC podcast). "It’s giving them a shortcut that says this person believes what I believe."
Which are the most significant endorsements?
According to Yvette Buckner, a political lobbyist and co-chair of The New Majority, some of the most important endorsements you can get, especially in local races, are from unions or other local electeds.
"Sometimes you’re talking about a district that can be swayed by 300 to 500 votes," she said. "A labor union or elected official can sometimes sway several hundred votes that will get them over the finish line."
When it comes to labor unions, Buckner says some of the most influential are 1199 (representing healthcare workers), DC-37 (representing city government employees), 32BJ SEIU (representing building service workers), the United Federation of Teachers and the New York City District Council of Carpenters.
Union endorsements don’t just signal value alignment, but can help raise money and get boots on the ground to volunteer — and to go to the polls on Election Day.
"Across the street, my neighbor is a member of 32BJ, and he asks me all the time, ‘Alright, who are we endorsing? I’m going with whoever my union goes with,’" Buckner said.
Some unions have already come out in support of candidates: former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has already received an endorsement from the carpenters’ union, despite not yet entering the race. The United Autoworkers Union (UAW) triple endorsed Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, Comptroller Brad Lander and State Sen. Jessica Ramos in December.
What about celebrities or national politicians?
In rare circumstances, celebrities will endorse mayoral candidates or other local candidates. But Buckner and Greer both emphasized that celebrity endorsements are usually not the most meaningful to voters.
"I think in a crowded field, people are looking for not necessarily celebrity endorsements but definitely the endorsements of civic groups, unions, elected officials," Buckner said.
What’s the benefit of endorsing earlier versus later in the race?
Receiving endorsements at any time during a campaign can be beneficial — it just depends on what the candidate hopes the endorsement will achieve.
"A celebrity endorsement in the beginning gets you money, and presumably name recognition, from a group of people that haven’t been paying attention," said Greer.
"Towards crunch time on Election Day, you need those endorsements that usually come with a bit of manpower and can galvanize a lot of people," she continued. "People who have massive churches where people will mobilize, Souls to the Polls or religious institutions that will go out as a community to help elect their candidate."
Are there any endorsements we should be keeping an eye out for?
As the election cycle continues, voters can look to see if candidates are getting endorsements from what should be their key constituencies. For example, Mayor Eric Adams likely is looking for strong endorsements from the people who were standing behind him last time, like U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat — a very influential figure in Upper Manhattan politics — and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who as Brooklyn Democratic Party leader controls many loyalists in that borough.
"If they are not fully endorsing him, coming out with a full-throated endorsement, it signals challenges for reelection," Buckner said.
Conclusion
Endorsements can play a significant role in local races, particularly in a crowded and low-information primary. By understanding which endorsements matter most, voters can make more informed decisions about which candidates to support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do endorsements impact the outcome of a local race?
A: Endorsements can influence voters by providing a shortcut to understanding a candidate’s values and policies.
Q: Which endorsements are most significant in local races?
A: Labor unions and local elected officials are often the most influential, as they can mobilize voters and provide crucial support.
Q: Do celebrity endorsements matter in local races?
A: While celebrity endorsements can be attention-grabbing, they are often not as meaningful to voters as endorsements from labor unions, civic groups, or elected officials.
