NYC Councilwoman Carlina Rivera gets nod from powerful hospital workers union in 10th congressional district race

City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera locked down a coveted labor endorsement in her run for New York’s 10th congressional district on Wednesday, beating out a crowded field that includes former Mayor Bill de Blasio, Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) and several other candidates.

The stamp of approval from 1199 SEIU, which represents health care workers, is likely to give Rivera an edge when it comes to getting out the vote and fundraising, and it represents an early win in a short race with the August election less than two months away.

Rivera called the nod “a very big deal” and described it as a sign of the “growing energy” behind her run.

“I’m so happy to see that you’re as excited as I am about this campaign,” Rivera said Wednesday on a Zoom call with union members and other supporters. “One of my top priorities has been building a diverse coalition of local and national leaders and organizations that truly represents the fabric of our community and our district.”

As a member of the Council, Rivera currently serves on its Committee on Hospitals, and prior to this year, she served as the committee’s chairwoman. In that role, she pushed for safe staffing levels in city hospitals and access to protective gear during the height of the COVID pandemic.

Milly Silva, the union’s secretary treasurer, said the decision to endorse Rivera was based on a deep look into the candidate’s positions on issues important to the union.

“There’s no question that Carlina Rivera is the best-suited candidate to be our champion in Congress,” Silva said. “Proof is in the pudding in terms of the work that she did to support workers during this pandemic in their struggles to secure personal protective equipment.”

Silva said the union’s endorsement means its “all in” and it will translate into asking members to vote for Rivera and volunteer for her campaign.

Over the years, the union has backed de Blasio. When asked why it isn’t getting behind him for his congressional run, Silva said that while the union has “a lot of friends,” it also had “to decide who our champions are going to be.”

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), who’s also backing Rivera, pointed to the Councilwoman’s work with public housing residents during the pandemic and her efforts to make sure that federal funding intended for them was actually delivered.

“She has always showed up,” Velazquez said. “Other people didn’t show up, or they watched what was unfolding in New York from miles and miles away.”