UFT Gets Behind Mosley for State Assembly

The United Federation of Teachers today announced it will get behind District Leader Walter T. Mosley in his run for State Assembly in Brooklyn's 57th district representing Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights and parts of Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant.

"Walter Mosley understands that working towards a brighter future starts in the classroom," said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. "I know he will fight in Albany to secure resources and promote policies that will strengthen New York's public school system."

With more than 200,000 members, UFT's endorsement of Mosley represents the second major union to back the aspiring assemblyman, following an initial nod of support by the Teamsters Joint Council 16 last week.

Additional heavyweight supporters include Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Councilwoman Tish James, to name a few.

Mosley's opponent in the senate race, District Leader Olanike Alabi, has the endorsement of three major unions, including the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA), UFCW Local 1500 and District Council 37 – AFSCME, AFL-CIO.

Other Alabi endorsements include State Senator Velmanette Montgomery; Richard Green, chief executive of the Crown Heights Youth Collective; and the LAMBDA Independent Democrats, among many others.

The state primary election is set for Thursday, Sept. 13.