New York – The members of 32BJ, one of the largest and most politically active unions in New York, celebrated the strong win by Alessandra Biaggi for State Senate (District 34) in tonight’s state primary elections in a tightly contested race against a powerful incumbent.

The win by Biaggi against incumbent Jeff Klein, the leader and founder of the Independent Democratic Committee, will help union members and other New Yorkers fight for policies that have been blocked by Republicans, including a DREAM Act, bail reform and measures to protect voter rights.

“Alessandra Biaggi’s victory is, first and foremost, a win for working families in Westchester and the Bronx. This victory proves that principled, committed, real Democrats can beat disloyal incumbents, matching up people power against money,” said Héctor Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU. “Our members in New York put in the same passion to elect Biaggi that they showed in Massachusetts to elect Ayanna Pressley, and in Pennsylvania to elect Conor Lamb. When unions like 32BJ engage, inform and educate our union members about the importance of elections, and the impact that policy has in our lives, our democracy grows stronger and we all win.”

For the past few weeks, hundreds of 32BJ members have knocked on more than 10,000 doors; made 15,000 calls; and spoken with fellow residents about the importance of electing progressive candidates who can lead New York with policies that benefit working families.

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With 163,000 members in eleven states and Washington, D.C., 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.