Today, the 30,000-member Professional Staff Congress announced its endorsement of Brad Lander for New York City Comptroller. The CUNY faculty and staff union pointed to Lander’s long-time support for educational equity and his progressive vision for a just recovery from COVID.
“In the city’s current economic crisis, the role of New York City Comptroller has become more vital than ever. Brad Lander is the right person for this tough moment. He will simultaneously safeguard the city’s fiscal health and fight for an economic recovery that repudiates austerity. He understands that an economic crisis that has been devastating to the city’s working class, its poor and its communities of color cannot be solved without visionary investment. He knows that investment in CUNY–a New Deal for CUNY–will be essential to any just and inclusive recovery,” said Barbara Bowen, President of the Professional Staff Congress. “The members of the PSC know Brad and respect him for his consistent progressive work in the City Council, and we are proud to give him our endorsement.”
Lander has been a vocal supporter of fully funding CUNY and restoring tuition-free public higher education for New York City students. He has supported the state legislation for a New Deal for CUNY proposal and has been a vocal supporter of the PSC’s call for rich private universities in the city to pay their fair share to the City for educational needs.
“Investments in CUNY provided a platform for young people, especially those from immigrant and low-income backgrounds, from across this city to thrive in generations past. The cuts and tuition hikes of recent years fall hardest on those students who can least afford it, denying them the chance to succeed. As Comptroller, I will be a strong partner to faculty and students in advocacy to fully fund CUNY as the essential institution it is to secure an equitable recovery and shared prosperity,” said Brad Lander, candidate for NYC Comptroller.
“In a field of strong candidates, one clearly stands out. Brad Lander has been fighting with and for working people for his entire career, and most importantly, he has the right political vision for the moment–and the will and savvy to execute it. He will use the post of comptroller, both its technical and political powers, to fight for CUNY employees, CUNY students, and all working New Yorkers. We are proud to endorse Council Member Lander, and will work hard to ensure his election,” said PSC Legislative Representative Luke Elliott-Negri.
The union also announced endorsements of a dozen more candidates for City Council:
- Christopher Marte CD1 (Lower Manhattan)
- Erik Bottcher CD3 (West Village – Chelsea)
- Keith Powers CD4 (Midtown & East Side, Grad CUNY)
- Julie Menin, CD5 Manhattan (near Hunter)
- Maria Ordoñez CD7 (upper manhattan)
- Diana Ayala CD8 (East Harlem, Bronx)
- Tiffany Caban, CD22 Astoria, Woodside
- Jaslin Kaur, CD23 Queens, Hunter alum
- Adrienne E. Adams CD28 (SE Queens Incumbent)
- Felicia Singh CD32 Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Howard Beach
- Sandy Nurse, CD37 Brooklyn, Bushwick
- Alexa Aviles CD38 (Sunset Park, Red Hook, etc.)
The PSC is planning a vigorous get-out-the-vote effort for these candidates, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who they endorsed in January, and the union’s other City Council endorsees.
