Faces Tough Race

State AFL-CIO Bucks The Other Sweeney

By HOWARD MEGDAL

With a union background and a stint as New York's Secretary of Labor, Congressman John Sweeney received quite a bit of union support during his first four runs for New York's 20th District seat in the Saratoga area. But with Democrats given a realistic shot of winning majority control of the House of Representatives, past labor supporters of Mr. Sweeney are throwing organizational and financial resources behind his Democratic challenger, Kirsten Gillibrand.

JOHN SWEENEY: Unions backing opponent.

Money, People Power

The State AFL-CIO, which stayed neutral in Mr. Sweeney's previous races but contributed to his campaigns, has thrown its weight behind Ms. Gillibrand. In a year that the national AFL-CIO has promised to spend $40 million on Federal races, in a state with approximately 75,000 union members per Congressional District, such support can be significant.

"The endorsements really speak to the policies of the Bush Administration and [are] more of a reflection on the current administration than individual members of Congress," said Mario Cilento a spokesman for the state AFL-CIO.

PRESIDENT BUSH: A Democratic lightning rod.

Ms. Gillibrand has tied Mr. Sweeney to President Bush's most unpopular policies whenever possible in an effort to nationalize the race.

Ms Gillibrand's press secretary, Allison Pryce, in a Sept. 21 phone interview pointed out that despite a promise by Congressman Sweeney not to vote for freetrade agreements, he cast a vote for the Central American Free Trade Agreement after pressure from both Mr. Bush and lobbyists for the bill, who treated him to a weekend in the Dominican Republic.

Unions 'Taken Aback'

Calling his behavior "ethically questionable, at best," Ms. Pryce said that "many union leaders were taken aback by his ability to have his mind changed like that on a campaign promise."

Mr. Sweeney's campaign did not return repeated calls for comment.

In addition to the institutional support, which includes numerous volunteers and help with getting out the vote, Ms. Gillibrand's endorsements have paid off financially. As of her most recent filing with the Federal Election Committee, Ms. Gillibrand had received $5,000 apiece from the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, the Communication Workers of America, the Service Employees International Union, and a host of others that had given money to Mr. Sweeney's previous campaigns. One reason for the change is that unions seldom back a sure loser. Since he defeated Jean Bordewich by 10 points to capture the open seat in 1998, Mr. Sweeney's opponents have failed to come within 25 points of him while routinely being greatly outspent.

Ms. Gillibrand, however, has raised $1,423,821 thus far, within shouting distance of Mr. Sweeney's $1,950,627. Her campaign released an internal poll showing her within eight points of Mr. Sweeney late last month. The incumbent's campaign disputed the poll but declined to release its own internal numbers.

'Unions Motivated'

"The union leadership is extremely motivated up here," Ms. Pryce said. "And they believe Kirsten can win."

Another Democrat benefiting from newfound union friends is Ned Lamont, the party's nominee for Senate in Connecticut, who received the revised endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees last week.

"We're very pleased that AFSCME, after looking at both candidates, chose Ned Lamont," campaign spokeswoman Liz Dupont-Diehl said in a Sept. 21 phone interview. "They have 35,000 members, so we're looking for a very significant turnout of volunteers. We've already seen a lot of support come our way."

AFSCME had supported incumbent Sen. Joseph Lieberman in the Democratic primary, as had the SEIU and the United Auto Workers. All three groups are now championing Mr. Lamont. Other unions, such as the Connecticut Laborers' District Council, which represents more than 6,000 state construction workers, continue to back Mr. Lieberman's re-election bid as an independent.