PEF Gives Kirsten Gillibrand Early Endorsement For Full Senate Term

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND: A boost from labor.

The Public Employees Federation June 9 endorsed U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in her quest for a full term next year.

Ms. Gillibrand was picked in January by Governor Paterson to succeed Hillary Clinton after she was tapped by President Obama to become U.S. Secretary of State. She previously was a Congresswoman representing the Albany area.

'Advocate for Workers'

"PEF has had a long-standing relationship with Senator Gillibrand," said PEF President Kenneth Brynien in a statement. "She has proven herself as an advocate for working families and has remained supportive of public employees. The PEF leadership has made its decision based on her record to fight for jobs, especially during the economic downturn."

PEF is the first statewide union to endorse Ms. Gillibrand.

PEF Vice President Joe Fox, who is chair of the union's political action committee, said, "PEF was particularly pleased to see Gillibrand work with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that will invest more than $1.3 million at medical research facilities in western New York."

Union Vice President and PAC cochair Pat Baker said, "She has been supportive of the working class in many ways. She fights for lowering taxes for middle-class families, seeks alternatives to greener energy sources, and remembers our troops and veterans."