1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, one of the largest and fasting growing healthcare unions in the nation, endorsed Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury) for the Democratic nomination in the 4th Congressional District race Friday, her campaign announced.
The union represents over 450,000 workers including hospital and nursing home employees, home health aids community organizations, among others. Supported policies for the group include affordable housing, racial and social justice and LGBTQ rights and more, according to a release.
“Like Siela, we are dedicated to a world with equal opportunities for all, and part of that effort is to improve each healthcare worker’s job benefits – including better wages and access to affordable, quality care,” George Gresham, president of the union, said. “We know Siela can help us level the playing field and get the job done once she is elected to Congress.”
“Our healthcare workers never relinquished their dedication to public health all through one of the most trying times in our nation,” Bynoe said in a statement. “Like anyone else, they deserve quality, good-paying jobs and it’s our responsibility to make that happen for them.”
The 4th CD comprises central and southern Nassau County, including Floral Park, Garden City, Hempstead, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park and Westbury. Under newly drawn redistricting maps, it also takes in the villages of East Williston, Williston Park, Lake Success and some unincorporated parts of the Town of North Hempstead.
Bynoe was elected to the Legislature in February 2014 following a special election. A 40-year resident of Nassau County, Bynoe graduated from Westbury High School and received degrees from Nassau Community College, Hofstra University and C.W. Post, Long Island University.
In the first quarter of 2022, Bynoe raised $105,450, putting her in fourth place behind rivals William Staniford, former Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen and Malverne Mayor Keith Corbett
Bynoe has served as a trustee on the Westbury Board of Education and in various housing organizations, including the Long Island Housing Partnership, the Huntington Housing Authority and the North Hempstead Housing Authority.
Bynoe is running against a crowded Democratic field to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City), one that also includes fellow Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Lawrence) as well as Staniford, Gillen and Corbett.
Previous endorsements came from state Assembly member Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) and DNC member Hazel Dukes, among others.
