The left-leaning New York AFL-CIO issued its endorsements for House races Wednesday and snubbed several high-profile Democratic candidates — including Zohran Mamdani-backed socialist firebrand Daraliza Avila Chevalier, former City Comptroller Brad Lander and Long Island Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen.
The Big Labor umbrella group, representing 3,000 affiliated unions and 2.5 million members, voted not to endorse the three candidates and instead remain neutral in those races.
Avila Chevalier ousted veteran Rep. Adriano Espaillat — who earned the endorsement of several unions — in the Democratic primary in the 11th district, covering northern Manhattan and the Bronx.
Lander, also backed by Mamdani and the progressive left, defeated two-term Rep. Dan Goldman in the House District 10 Democratic primary covering lower Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn.
Since both Avila Chevalier and Lander are running in overwhelmingly Democratic districts, the snub by the Big Labor coalition won’t have an impact in the general election.
However, the NY AFL-CIO’s decision to deny an endorsement to Gillen, who is seeking re-election in Nassau County’s battleground District 4, is a blow to the first-term Democratic incumbent, sources said.
She is facing Republican Jeanine Driscoll.
Big Labor remaining neutral is a plus for Driscoll.
Democratic sources were baffled by the AFL-CIO’s refusal to back Gillen, given that Democrats have a good chance of retaking the House majority.
The NY AFL-CIO did endorse Gillen in 2024, before she defeated Republcan Rep. Anthony D’Esposito in a rematch.
“I am so honored to be endorsed by New York State AFL-CIO, which represents 3,000 unions throughout NY. Unions built Long Island’s middle class, and I will always stand with them in the fight for fair wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions,” Gillen said then.
By comparison, the labor coalition endorsed Democrats in other swing district races in 2026 races including: Rep. Tom Suozzi in neighboring District 3 that encompasses parts of Nassau County and Queens; Cait Conley over Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in Hudson Valley’s District 17, and other upstate Democratic incumbents.
Still, the AFL-CIO’s neutrality doesn’t prevent its affiliated unions from endorsing candidates.
The Gillen campaign provided a list of unions that have endorsed her campaign, including: New York State United Teachers, SEIU Local 32BJ, IBEW Local 3, CWA District 1, Amalgamated Transit Union, Sheet Metal Workers Local 28, Theatrical Stage Employees Local 1 and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.
Big Labor endorsed one Republican, Rep. Andrew Garbarino in Long Island’s House District 2.
The labor coalition also stayed neutral in the 11th District, where popular Staten Island Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is running for re-election.
The AFL-CIO declined further comment.
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