| Things are happening up in the Bronx. Charlie Ramos is fighting and support is starting to build for his insurgent campaign to defeat Ruben Diaz Sr. and bring some real change to the Bronx and the Senate. On the eve of a big dollar fundraiser for Diaz hosted by Majority Leader Sampson, Charlie Ramos is starting to roll out a new base of support among the working class in his district and throughout the city.
First, the Painters Union came out with a strong and vocal endorsement of Charlie's grassroots effort;
"We are proud to endorse Charlie Ramos for State Senate. I have personally participated with him in protests and have witnessed his commitment to working people. I know his years of community organizing provide him with the experience to be a great legislator not only for the Bronx, but for all New Yorkers. If you believe in real democracy and reform, then you know we need to bring a true and hardworking leader to Albany in 2010."
-Jack Kittle, IUPAT Political Director
Then today, another big trade-oriented union; the joint council of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for the New York City area.
"As president of the Teamsters Joint Council 16, I am proud to endorse Charlie Ramos for New York State Senate. His work ethic and commitment to working people make him an ideal candidate to clean up Albany and protect the needs of Teamster families in the Bronx and across the State."
-George Miranda, President of IBT Joint Council 16
Two observations from these endorsements. First, it's notable that these are trade unions. Neither IBT or IUPAT are considered to be stalwart progressive unions in New York City. These are blue collar, working class, trade-oriented unions that made a determination that Charlie Ramos is the candidate representing working class interested in the 32nd Senate District. Take note people; Charlie is building a coalition that extends to varied interests. This is not just a one issue campaign on marriage equality but a varied effort to bring progressive change to the Bronx.
Secondly, and relatedly, I was shocked to see Diaz 's reaction to these endorsements, which clearly illustrate how out of touch he is with the district and the needs of working families.
"Good for him," Diaz said. "I will continue opposing gay marriage no matter how many union votes he gets." source
I'm sorry, what? Diaz is actually equating two trade union endorsements to marriage equality? No Senator Diaz, this is about your failure to create jobs, enact progressive criminal justice measures, and your constant inability to work with the majority caucus to defend the interests of working families. If Senator Diaz is going to turn every endorsement for Charlie into a one issue campaign, he'll slowly but surely demonstrate that he stands for nothing but bigotry and discrimination. And no matter how well that plays at his own church, that's not a winning campaign platform in the Bronx in this sort of economy.
Disclosure: I am a proud volunteer of Charlie Ramos's campaign for State Senate.
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