Nick LaLota (R), hoping to succeed Lee Zeldin (R) as the Representative of New York’s 1st Congressional District, landed another key endorsement last week as two major carpenter’s unions backed his campaign.
The New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters (NYCDCC) and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) publicly endorsed LaLota on Friday, October 14.
The NYCDCC is known for its mixed bag of endorsements, despite trade labor unions historically backing Democratic candidates overwhelmingly.
Two weeks ago, LaLota received an endorsement from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), helping cement his image as a pro-small business, pro-labor Republican ahead of this year’s 2022 Midterm Elections.
During his tenure with the Amityville Board of Trustees, LaLota prioritized reducing the tax burden on businesses, as well as families.
As per the NYCDCC, “We know we can count on Nick to fight for union carpenters, focus on the challenges facing the working class, and put our country back to work.”
The union also endorsed notable State Senators Anthony Palumbo (R), Mario Mattera (R), John Brooks (D), and Kevin Thomas (D), as well as potential comeback candidates Monica Martinez (D) and Dean Murray (R).
LaLota also received an endorsement from the high-profile NASRCC, a union representing 28,000 carpenters, millmen, and others in New York and all six New England states.
As per the NASRCC, “Nick LaLota is a blue-collar guy who shares our values. Public service is in his blood, growing up in a law enforcement family and serving our country in Congress.”
The NASRCC is also known for endorsing politicians of both parties. Garbarino also received their endorsement, as well as the aforementioned Palumbo, Mattera, Martinez, Brooks and Thomas. Freshman State Senator Alexis Weik (R) and Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R) were also endorsed.
The union was already busy endorsing candidates earlier this year. In response to the successful sewer renovation project across New York, which broke ground in Mastic back in January 2022, the union endorsed several high-profile candidates, such as Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Sayville) and Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
The NYCDCC also endorsed Governor Hochul for the election.
This year, Long Island has the unusual opportunity to play host to competitive races across the board, with all four districts on cultural Long Island in play. The unions’ endorsements of LaLota are critical for his campaign that looks to fill an open seat that got more competitive with redistricting. LaLota is running against Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming (D-Noyac).
In addition to endorsing LaLota and Garbarino, the NYCDCC also endorsed Robert Zimmerman (D), running in the blue-leaning, Nassau-based 3rd. The NASRCC endorsed Laura Gillen (D), running in the 4th District
One local resident of Mastic Beach, 40, who wished to remain anonymous, gave his thoughts on why LaLota’s candidacy resonates with such high-profile unions:
“You can’t live in today’s times, in today’s economy, in today’s New York without supporting people who are pro-labor, pro-small business. LaLota is also discussing fixing the supply chain issues that hurt our business and our relationship with clients.” The respondent works for a small, family-owned IT company that relies on easily accessible technology, components, and accessories for their clients, all small businesses.
With just three weeks to go until Election Day, Nick LaLota has raised a little more than $900,000 towards his campaign, with Fleming far outpacing him at $2.1 million. While the 1st District is competitive on paper, it may be too out of reach amid this year’s ostensibly Republican environment. Both receipts were posted as of September 30.
While Fleming has the upper hand in fundraising, it’s not a foregone conclusion that she has the advantage in the race. The critical carpenter’s union endorsements help LaLota tremendously and are worth their weight in campaign funds and outside spending.
No public or internal polling of this race has been released.
