Labor Union Endorses Candidate for Washington Heights, Inwood State Assembly District

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — The election for New York's 72nd State Assembly District — which spans Washington Heights and Inwood — is heating up as September's primary election date creeps closer. Unite Here 100, a labor union representing food service workers in New York and New Jersey, announced Tuesday they would endorse Democratic candidate Carmen De La Rosa for the 72nd district. And with that endorsement Unite Here 100 became the first labor union to voice support for one of the candidates in the race.

"United Here Local 100 is proud to endorse Carmen De La Rosa for the 72nd Assembly District of New York," said Unite Here 100 Secretary-Treasurer, Jose Maldonado in a press release. "Carmen understands the challenges of the thousands of food service workers in New York City and beyond, and she has the experience and ability to help overcome them. Her energy and dedication in fighting for working families in northern Manhattan, during the Fight for $15 campaign displayed the values we need in Albany."

Carmen De La Rosa, the former chief of staff of City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, will be running against the incumbent Guillermo Linares, former Community Board 12 Chairman George Fernandez. Manny De Los Santos, who ran in 2014 and captured 26 percent of the vote, dropped out of the race before petitions were filed.

"I am humbled and honored to have the support of Unite Here Local 100 as we take this important campaign to a new level," said De La Rosa, in the press release. "Their members work hard every day not only to put food on their own tables, but to help feed New Yorkers across the state. As working families continue to face challenges, I will work tirelessly in Albany to see collective bargaining rights strengthened, wages increased and workplace conditions improved."

De La Rosa has already been endorsed by uptown political influencers such as her former boss Rodriguez and the Democratic nominee for the 13th Congressional District Adriano Espaillat, who is likely to win his election in November to become the first Dominican-born U.S. Congressman. During a July 19 political rally where Espaillat endorsed her, De La Rosa said she would fight in Albany for worker's rights, women's rights and to preserve the cultural fabric of the community.

"We will continue the fight in Albany to ensure that our families are represented, that the resources that are necessary are coming into our community, and that we are a united front against the culture of displacement that has taken over," De La Rosa said during the rally.