Skip to content

New York: Working Families Party Backs Tonko in 21st

Former state Assemblyman Paul Tonko, one of the leading Democratic candidates in the race to replace retiring Rep. Mike McNulty (D), picked up the endorsement Tuesday of the Working Families Party, a small but influential third party in New York with close ties to organized labor.

The endorsement could give Tonko organizational momentum as he heads toward the Sept. 9 Democratic primary with Albany County Legislator Phil Steck, Tracey Brooks, a former top aide to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), and others.

“The Working Families endorsement is a seal of approval,” Karen Scharff, chairwoman of the party’s Capital Region chapter, told the Albany Times Union. “It says: Paul Tonko will fight in Washington for working people.”

Meanwhile, a 10th Democratic candidate entered the race this week. Joseph Sullivan, a former chairman of the Albany City Republicans who switched parties three years ago, cast himself as a conservative Democrat who will emphasize national security.

Also this week, Sen. Charles Schumer (D) said he would not endorse a candidate in the crowded primary because he has so many “friends” in the race.

— Josh Kurtz

Recent Stories

Deadly Texas flooding puts Trump’s past talk of eliminating FEMA to the test

Senate NDAA would hike defense spending by $32 billion

Should we talk about the weather? — Congressional Hits and Misses

Photos of the week | July 4-10, 2025

Appropriators advance Legislative Branch bill without GAO cuts

FBI headquarters fight stymies spending bill in Senate