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SOMERS, N.Y. – Democrat Justin Wagner, who is running against Republican State Senator Greg Ball in the 40th Senate District, was formally endorsed on Tuesday by Local 1500 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW).
The UFCW joins endorsements by the Civil Service Employees Association, the New York State United Teachers, the Communication Workers of America, the League of Conservation Voters and numerous Democratic Committees throughout the district.
At a formal ceremony in front of the Somers Stop & Shop, UCFW representative, Pat Purcell, said, “Now more than ever we need Albany focused on growing good-paying jobs, not making it easier for big chains and corporations to shortchange hardworking men and women in a tough job market.”
Wagner declared himself, “proud to accept the endorsement of the UFCW,” and continued, “Good-paying jobs for working and middle-class New Yorkers are key to our economic comeback, but our minimum wage is a pale shadow of what we had decades ago. This is a clear policy difference – I’m standing with working New Yorkers and Greg Ball is standing against them.”
One of the contentious issues between Wagner and Ball is the state’s minimum wage law. When a proposal came before the Senate raising the minimum from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour, Ball voted against it, whereas Wagner favors the increase.
Wagner also supports the Wage Theft Prevention Act which was repealed by the State Senate this year. The law was intended to protect employees from wage abuse by unscrupulous employers. He is pro-choice, supports marriage equality, tax relief for homeowners, and campaign finance reform, among other issues.
A graduate of Georgetown University and Georgetown Law School, Wagner is an Associate in the New York office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, specializing in Litigation. He is a native of the Hudson Valley and lives with his wife and young daughter in Cortlandt.
In Westchester, the 40th Senate District comprises Lewisboro, Somers, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Yorktown, Cortlandt, Peekskill, Mount Kisco, New Castle and Mount Pleasant.
Comments (7)
I wish all the best to Justin Wagner in his State Senator Campaign and believe he would make a positive impact as a State Senator.
Hope all Crotonites have a chance to see the new issue of the Gazette. There is strong support for Kevin Davis' campaign for Board Trustee in the letters section. Croton Residents are clearly very excited for Kevin's Candidacy.
VOTE for Kevin Davis on Thursday Sept. 13.
Higher minimum wages kill jobs. Public sector unions' pension and health benefits are bankrupting goverments. Sen. Ball understands this and has done a good job for his district in Albany. The Democrats just continue to pander to the unions for their votes and would just continue to raise taxes to cover their promises.
That's a misleading sound bite that conservatives love to use. But following that logic no workers at any level should ever receive a salary increase, for cost of living, merit, profit-sharing, etc. Of course the minimum wage should be raised; this is the 21st Century and we are have arrived at a point in history where we behave in a civilized manner and treat people fairly. Greg Ball and his Republican colleagues would love to lead us into the 19th Century; we don't need that type of leadership. We need the progressive leadership that Justin Wagner will provide.
Citizen Jeanne, you have no idea why the MINIMUM wage was created. These are starter jobs. low skill jobs that down the road may lead to better more skilled jobs. These jobs are for students and others that have little or no education. The only result from increasing the minimum wage will be the loss of some of these jobs. Obviously you are NOT a business woman. If you were, you would know what I am saying is true.
The last thing we need are more "progressives" , they have been the ruination of our nation.
Now that he has the endorsements of the civil service and teachers unions there's no way he'll support any kind of reform for the gold plated pensions and benefits they get compared to the vast majority of workers in the private sector.
That loses him my vote.
Ball needs to go. In his tenure, his office doesn't respond to constituent issues, he is inarticulate on numerous issues and clueless when it comes to the needs off his constituents.
We need sensible people like Wagner in office.