Russo supporters Rally in Rensselaer for a New Kind of Senator
(Rensselaer, NY) – State Senate candidate Mike Russo (D –Saratoga) has garnered the support from many unions from organized labor. The latest endorsement comes from the Rensselaer Professional Firefighters Local 2643, Rensselaer Police Officers Union, Inc. and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1321.
"Your experience, accomplishments and the priorities you have set for our community is what convinced us, as a 28-member union, to offer you our endorsement," said Jeff Adams, president of the Rensselaer Police Officers Union, Inc. "We were impressed with your years of advocacy on behalf of working families and your personal efforts as district director for Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand (D – Hudson). Your support of law enforcement, emergency services and community organizations that support safe streets and crime prevention is quite impressive."
The city of Rensselaer Police Department consists of 23 uniformed officers who are charged with serving and protecting 8,000 city residents.
As recognition of his support of first responders, the members of Local 2643 of the International Association of Firefighters has also endorsed Mike Russo's candidacy for state Senate.
"Mike has stood by firefighters and worked on behalf of working families for 30 years, and has always placed emergency services and public safety at the top of his priority list," said Dave Sleasman, President of the Rensselaer Professional Firefighters Local 2643. We are looking forward to having Mike's support as our next State Senator and we know we will always have his ear and a place at the table in the 43rd Senate District."
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1321, representing transit workers at the Capital District Transportation Authority, endorsed Mike Russo because he is a people's candidate who supports equal rights for women in the workplace.
"Mike Russo has a wealth of experience in public life and is a perfect candidate to serve the citizens of the 43rd Senate District," said Steven Green, president of the local ATU. "Mike has been a long time labor leader in New York state for more than 30 years. He strongly believes that our nation has long suffered because of the lack of women's perspectives in top leadership positions and political office. Mike was one of the earlier dues paying members and active participant (and only man at the time) of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, which promotes equal rights and activism of women in the workplace".
Russo graciously and enthusiastically embraced the endorsements from these unions and the dozens of other labor organizations, which endorsed the Russo for Senate campaign earlier.
"I am pleased to accept the endorsement of the Rensselaer Professional Firefighters Local 2643, Rensselaer Police Officers Union, Inc. and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1321. Last week's endorsement by the Troy Police Benevolent Association is also a great boost to my campaign," said Russo. "Throughout my career in public service I always supported the efforts of first responders and all law enforcement officials. I am honored to have this recognition from these fine protectors of the residents in RensselaerCounty. Being sensitive and concerned about the needs of police and fire officials as well as transit workers has been a time-honored tradition in the Russo family."
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Endorsements
Since Mike Russo's candidacy became official on July 14th, the following have publicly endorsed him and proclaimed their support for him to represent the families of New York's 43rd Senate District:
Personal Endorsements:
U.S. Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand (D-Hudson)
20th Congressional District - New York
U.S. Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-GreenIsland)
21st Congressional District - New York
United States Senator Charles E. Schumer - New York
United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - New York
Senator Neil Breslin (D – Albany)
Assemblyman Bob Reilly (D – Colonie, Halfmoon and CliftonPark)
Assemblyman Jack McEneny (D – Albany)
Former NYS Police Deputy Superintendent George Infante
Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim
City of Rensselaer Common Council President Charles Hall
Former Republican Senate Candidate and former Nassau Town Supervisor Ray Seney
Troy City Council President Clem Campana
TroyCity Councilman John Brown
TroyCity Councilman Bill Dunne
TroyCity Councilman Gary Galuski
TroyCity Councilman Peter Ryan
TroyCity Councilman Ken Zalewski
Former Saratoga Springs Mayor Ken Klotz
Town Chair of the Stephentown Democratic Committee Andrew C. White
RensselaerCounty Legislature, Democratic Majority
Labor Unions:
Troy City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) (read the statement)
Rensselaer Professional Firefighters Local 2643
City of Rensselaer Police Officers Union, Inc.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1321 (read endorsement letter)
Greater Capital Region Construction and Building Trades Council
Communication Workers of America International Union
CWA Local 1118
Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters (read endorsement letter)
Carpenters and Joiners Local 370, Albany, NY
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
Glass, Molders Allied Workers, Pottery, Plastics (GMP) and International Union
GMP Local 77
National Federation of Federal Employees
United Food and Commercial Workers District Region 1
UFCW Local 1
Bakers and Confectioners Union Local 50
United Steel Workers Local 17
Amalgamated Transit Workers Union (ATU) 1321
ATU Statewide Legislative Conference Board; consisting of all ATU locals in NYS as follows:
ATU Local 1321 (AlbanyTroy)
Amsterdam 923
Binghamton Local 1145 and 1592
Buffalo Locals 1342 & 1625
FlushingNY Local 1056
New York City Local 1179 & 1181
Rochester Local 282
Staten Island Local 726
Syracuse Local 580
TroyNY 1636
Boilermakers Local 197
Roofers Local 241
Bricklayers and Allied Trades Local 2
Other Groups and Progressive Organizations:
Democracy for the Hudson/Mohawk Region (Democracy for America affiliate)
EmpireState Pride Agenda
Local Governments, Organizations and Councils
TroyCity Council
Rensselaer Professional Firefighters Local 2643
City of Rensselaer Police Officers Union, Inc.
Troy City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) (read the statement)
The Capital District chapter of the Working Families Party (read the article)
Democratic Town Chairs:
CliftonPark - Todd Kerner
Halfmoon - Justin Rathman
Mechanicville - Susan Peluso
Milton - Edmond Williford
Moreau - Jack Passinault
Saratoga - James Carey
Saratoga Springs - Allan Turkheimer
Stillwater - Frank Ronda
Troy - Francis LaPosta
Democratic Committee Endorsements:
CliftonPark
Mechanicville
Moreau
Stillwater
...and you!
Here's what people are saying in support of Mike Russo:
Edward J. Bloch, Latham:
(Gillibrand Constituent, met with Mike at Council meetings)
Letter to the Saratogian
"Mike Russo is an advocate for veterans"
Many people are unaware of the full range of difficulties faced by those serving in the military and after their return. It's an amazing fact that up to 40 years after their exposure to Agent Orange, veterans are still coming down with new symptoms of Agent Orange poisoning.
For that reason, on Nov. 19, 2006, then-Gov. George Pataki signed into law (Chapter 743, Laws of 2006) a bill requiring that National Guard veterans returning from combat be screened for exposure to toxics including Depleted Uranium. Though recently our state government has made some progress, the necessary task force to implement this law has not yet been fully appointed, almost two years later. Consequently, returning combat veterans remain unprotected unless they voluntarily request testing at the VA hospital - which happens rarely.
There are several other laws designed to help veterans, especially disabled veterans, which have not been implemented, and we, in the state Council of Veterans Organizations, are working hard to overcome these problems. As council president, I have been told on highest authority that now, screening for PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury in New England shows that 63 percent need treatment.
It's with really high hope that I support the candidacy of Mike Russo, running for state senator in the 43rd Senatorial District. Mike Russo is a devoted, committed supporter of veterans in dealing with all their manifold problems. As a union leader, as the person who set up and directed Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand's staff and as a dedicated community activist, Russo has demonstrated, over and over again, his fundamental appreciation and concern for our issues. He has attended our council meetings whenever he can and is fully aware of our struggles.
Mike Russo is a veterans' advocate, and I urge his support.
Edward J. Bloch
Latham
Dear Mike,
I am writing to offer my thanks on behalf our entire family for the help you provided us after the tragic death of my nephew, Jonathan Boucher, a veteran and resident of Saratoga Springs. As you remember, Jonathan was a decorated US Army field artillery soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his return from Iraq, he struggled for 4 years with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Tragically, he took his own life in May, a direct result of his struggles with PTSD.
Your help as a member of Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand's staff was instrumental in expediting the VA decision to allow Jon's burial in SaratogaNationalCemetery. As a US Army veteran myself, I was grateful for the importance that you and Congresswoman Gillibrand showed toward veterans' needs, and the extra effort you made to ensure Jon was honored for his service and sacrifice. We were all very touched that you came to pay your respects. We will never forget your help at a very difficult time.
While my wife and I live in Connecticut and cannot vote in New York, we want to wish you good luck in your New York State Senate campaign.
Sincerely,
David Anderson and Michele Wolfe
Former Saratoga Springs Mayor Ken Klotz:
I support Mike Russo for the New York State Senate in the 20th District. Mike is a former top staff person for Kirsten Gillibrand, our outstanding young congresswoman, and has worked hard to promote her values. He is experienced, incredibly hard working, reliable, organized, patient, and committed to public service. He will be a valuable representative of our district in Albany.
-Ken Klotz
Saratoga Springs, NY
Former Saratoga Springs Mayor 2000-2003
Constituent Ed Morse, Clifton Park, NY
I have known Mike and worked with him for 25yrs. I have found him to be honest straight talking, get the job done kinda guy. A good communicator always willing listen to the other side. Always willing to take the next step to get the job done.
-Ed Morse
Clifton Park, NY
Constituent John Monahan, Troy, NY
GREAT JOB ...WE NEED SOMEONE TO LOOK AFTER UNION MEMBERS AND ALL OUR PUBLIC SAFETY MEMBERS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR DESIRE TO HELP THE PEOPLE .
-John Monahan
Troy, NY
Rodney Wiltshire, Jr., on behalf of the
RensselaerCounty Young Democrats
We had the opportunity to meet Mike when he came to one of our meetings to introduce himself, and provide us an open forum to learn about him, and his stances on issues important to young Democrats, and young Americans, alike.
We were and remain deeply impressed with the candor with which he conducted himself, and the honest and pragmatic answers he provided. In addition, we truly believe, as Mike has said, that his office will be "the Office of the People of the 43rd District or NY", not "Mike Russo's" office, or the Democrats-only office. He listened to our perspectives and our concerns, such as balancing property taxes and education, fiscal responsibility and responsibility to the needs of our District, and we believe our voices - all voices - will finally be represented in Albany with Mike Russo as our State Senator.
-Rodney Wiltshire, Jr.
President, RensselaerCounty Young Democrats
Letter to the Saratogian:
Gillibrand, Russo and Wait have much to offer
"Our candidate for the state Senate, Mike Russo, would be a staunch advocate for all of us in this area. He would be better able to work with the Democratic power base in Albany to further our local agenda and to ensure that state resources are distributed fairly and equitably to our region. Mike has extensive experience as a labor leader and recently served as the district director for Congresswoman Gillibrand. He is the best candidate to represent us in the state Senate."
(read entire letter)
-Philip H. Diamond
Saratoga Springs