HTC Rallies for Governor Hochul at the New York State Democratic Convention
March 23, 2022 12:42 PM
On February 17th, a delegation of over 100 HTC members attended the New York State Democratic Convention at the invitation of Governor Kathy Hochul. The convention, held at the Sheraton Times Square, is where the state Democratic Party nominates candidates for statewide elected positions such as governor, attorney general, comptroller, and lieutenant governor.
HTC Brings Labor Power to the State Democratic Convention
Our members arrived at the Sheraton Times Square excited to be a part of the historic nomination of New York’s first woman nominee for governor. While our members waited to enter the convention hall, multiple elected officials and candidates stopped by the designated labor room to speak directly to our Union, and the other invited unions, which included DC 37 and Unite Here Local 100.
These elected officials approached our members to express praise and appreciation for our members’ activism and political efforts. For Kazi Hossain, a Local 6 Trustee and a Bartender at the Plaza Athenee, it was a reminder of the importance of the Union’s election efforts.
“Unions have an incredible ability to mobilize voters for candidates who will support working people,” Kazi Hossain said, “I knocked on dozens of doors with my union brothers and sisters in the 2021 election for union endorsed candidates and I’m excited to do it again in 2022!”
President Rich Maroko takes the stage
The keynote speeches of the day were given by HTC President Rich Maroko and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. President Maroko was the first keynote speaker introduced and he spoke to tremendous applause in the room as he made the case for why Governor Hochul is the right leader in this moment of crisis.
“In Governor Hochul’s relatively short tenure she has already proven herself to be a real champion for working people, and a decisive and effective leader. She has shown the compassion to understand the hardship that working New Yorkers are going through, the capacity to come up with creative solutions to complex problems, and the courage to act on them.”
He was followed by Secretary Clinton who introduced Governor Hochul to the stage. As she accepted her party’s nomination, Governor Hochul reiterated her support for unions: “We believe in respect for organized labor and a commitment to a future that honors our heritage of hardworking labor members.”
New York’s Statewide Elections
In 2022 New York will be electing the governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, and attorney general. It will be a critical election year for our members as we continue to recover from the devastation of the pandemic. For a strong recovery, we need to ensure that we work to elect candidates like Kathy Hochul, who has proven that she will listen to the needs of our members and find solutions to the challenges we face.
“It is up to every one of us to go out and to make sure she can continue her work on our behalf. So let’s get out there and let’s get to work!” HTC President Rich Maroko affirmed.
