Public Employee Press: PEP Talk
Union endorsements for June 22 Primary election
Brooklyn City Council candidates
Lincoln Restler (District 33)
With a deeply rooted love for his borough and community, Lincoln has dedicated over a decade to revitalizing Brooklyn and ensuring residents are not silenced by corporations and big money machines. His priorities for the district include climate justice and coastal resiliency, lower rent in NYC, and education.
Jen Gutiérrez (District 34)
Jennifer is an organizer, activist and ally. Currently, she serves as the Chief of Staff to City Council Member Antonio Reynoso. She was the leader of eight cycles of Participatory Budgeting that led to more than $5 million of investments to public spaces like schools, streets, parks, and NYCHA. Her priorities for the district include a fair COVID-19 recovery, education, and environmental justice.
Crystal Hudson (District 35)
Born and raised in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, Crystal Hudson is deeply committed to the residents of the 35th District. Her priorities for the district include education, affordable housing and criminal justice reform. “I will use the platform that my role affords me to unapologetically advance equity and justice for the workers who keep our City moving, including the tens of thousands of DC 37 members who, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic, have finally been seen for the essential labor they provide,” she said.
Henry Butler (District 36)
Former Local 371 member Henry Butler has had the experience of being in our members’ shoes. He is a fierce advocate and leader in his district, assisting families and ensuring their quality-of-life needs are adequately addressed. His priorities for the district include criminal justice reform, education, and housing.
Sandy Nurse (District 37)
Sandy Nurse is the founder of BK ROT, co-founder of the Mayday Space, a direct action organizer, and a carpenter. She has spent nearly a decade working to create the alternative institutions we need for positive social change. Her priorities for the district include housing, mental health care, and quality education for all.
Alexa Aviles (District 38)
Alexa Aviles has the passion and drive to make District 38 greater. She has dedicated her career to community philanthropy, working to keep young people and adults out of our country’s criminal injustice system. Her priorities for the district include equitable education, affordable housing, and a people’s budget.
Bridget Ann Rein (District 39)
An educator, political activist, and strong advocate for teachers’ and workers’ rights, Bridget Ann Rein is the leader the district needs. As a local political activist in Brooklyn’s 39th Council District, Rein has led social campaigns to enhance labor initiatives throughout Kings County and New York City. She also serves as a member of Community Board 6. Her priorities for the district include education, small business, and transportation.
Kenya Handy-Hillary (District 40)
Kenya Handy-Hillary has an opportunity to bring forth meaningful change in the 40th District. Her priorities include COVID recovery and economic resiliency, housing, homeless services, and education. “I have a great appreciation and respect for the collective strength of organized labor as a whole and the work of the individual worker. I strongly believe that unions are integral partners in creating and executing legislation and policy,” she said.
Alicka Ampry-Samuel (District 41)
Current chair of the NYC Council Committee on Public Housing, Council member Alicka Ampry-Samuels is a force to be reckoned with. She has a proven track record of crafting and sponsoring legislation to assist the working class and minorities in her district and all of New York City. Her priorities for the district include criminal justice reform, equitable recovery for the City, and affordable housing.
Charles Barron (District 42)
DC 37 values the partnership and longstanding working relationship we have built with Charles Barron. Charles has been the voice of DC 37 and our members in the halls of government throughout his entire career. His priorities for the 42nd District include healthcare, free education, and housing.
Justin Brannan (District 43)
Current Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Resiliency and Waterfronts, Council member Brannan has a proven track record of pushing forth legislation that not only benefits DC37 and its membership, but all of NYC’s working families. His priorities for the district include environmental protections and preservation, education, and health care.
Kalman Yeger (District 44)
First elected in 2017, Council member Yeger is unapologetic in advocating for the rights of his community and for all New Yorkers. His priorities for the district include a fair COVID-19 recovery, small business reform, education, and transportation.
Farah Louis (District 45)
Current Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Mental Health, Disability, and Addiction, Council member Louis is making progressive movement. During her first year in office, Louis rolled out an ambitious agenda and spearheaded critical legislation to protect survivors of domestic violence, close the food insecurity gap, and expand access to nonprofit services, education, reproductive rights, and healthcare.
Ari Kagan (District 47)
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ari Kagan has been hard at work supporting our communities and small businesses. He is a fierce organizer and leader in his community. Kagan’s priorities for the district include healthcare reform, education, and supporting small business.
