Law Enforcement Unions Endorse McMahon for Congress

from press release;

PBA, DEA, CEA, LBA, SBA and Court Officers all Back McMahon in Bid For Congress, Citing McMahon’s Extensive Record Fighting for Officers on Safety and Resources

September 24, 2008 – Several law enforcement unions today backed Council Member Michael McMahon in his bid for Congress in New York’s 13th Congressional District, citing McMahon’s long record of fighting for law enforcement officials’ needs, including providing bullet proof vests for the city’s officers and fighting for sufficient police forces on Staten Island.

The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Detectives Endowment Association, Captains Endowment Association, Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, and the New York State Court Officers Association and New York State Supreme Court Officers Association all endorsed McMahon.

“New York City’s law enforcement officers are on the front lines every day, fighting for the safety of our citizens, and protecting our way of life. I’ve been proud to fight for their needs on the City Council, and I’ll continue that fight in Washington to ensure that all our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to keep us safe. I’m grateful to have their endorsement, and promise to honor it by advocating for our brave officers in Congress. From the threat of terrorism to the danger of crime on the street, our law enforcement officers are there for New Yorkers, and when in Congress, I will make sure that our government is there for them,” McMahon said.

“Mike McMahon has always been a strong voice for this city’s police officers, and the PBA is proud to endorse him for Congress. From fighting for our personal safety to fighting for his constituents’ safety by pushing for more precincts on Staten Island, Mike McMahon understands the needs of police officers, and knows the importance of making sure we have the tools to keep New Yorkers safe. I’m proud to say that he’s the best man for the job in Congress,” PBA President Pat Lynch said.

“When Staten Island’s population boomed, and needed more officers to keep the streets safe, Mike McMahon was there to make sure that New Yorkers had the protection they needed to stay safe. He fought for the 121st Precinct in Graniteville, and he’ll continue to fight for resources we need from Congress to protect New Yorkers. When we’ve needed him, Mike McMahon has been there for law enforcement officers. I’m honored to be there for him now, pledging my support to get Mike McMahon to Congress,” said Dennis Quirk, the President of New York State Court Officers Association.

"The members of the CEA are happy to endorse a candidate who strongly supports passage of the James Zadroda 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, an act that provides much needed financing for the medical treatment of those emergency workers who responded to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In many cases, the dramatic health effects and cancers attributed to exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero are just beginning to be known. Mike McMahon shares our belief that the heroes that came to our aid should not be forgotten by our government," said Roy Richter, President of the Captains Endowment Association.

During his seven years on the City Council, McMahon helped to get safety vests for police officers, worked to open the 121st Precinct in Graniteville, and ensured that law enforcement officers serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan weren’t hit with bills by the city when they returned home from duty. He continues to push for the opening of the 120th Precinct on Staten Island so that the county has the resources it needs to keep the streets safe.

In addition, McMahon has ardently urged Congress to act on medical funding for first responders sickened by their work at Ground Zero following the attacks on September 11th. He voted in favor of a Council resolution urging Congress to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and has pledged to support the legislation once elected.

The law enforcement officers’ endorsements are a major boost for McMahon, and follow the Uniformed Firefighters Association and Uniformed Fire Officers Association endorsements in the primary.

McMahon remains in a strong position going into the general election, with national observers rating the race “likely Democrat” across the board.

McMahon received key support in the primary and going into the general, including primary endorsements from the Staten Island Advance, New York Times, Brooklyn Paper and Courier Life, endorsements from elected leaders including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Charles Schumer, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, former Mayor Ed Koch, and members of the New York City Congressional Delegation, and critical labor support from the New York State AFL–CIO, the United Federation of Teachers, 1199 SEIU Healthcare East, UFCW, and RWDSU.

Upon entering the race, McMahon also earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vaunted “Red to Blue” program, promising financial, communications and strategic support from the national party.

The General Election will be held on November 4th.


updated the bad formatting