October 15, 2026 — Since the primary election season in June, PEF members have taken steps to ensure that their fellow union members are well-informed as the midterm general elections approach.
At the last PEF Executive Board meeting in September, members endorsed candidates for races across the state, including for New York State Assembly, New York State Senate, Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller. Candidates went through a lengthy process of questionnaires and interviews, with each PEF Regional Political Action Committee making recommendations to the Statewide Political Action Committee (SWPAC), which were ultimately presented to the Executive Board for consideration.
“These are endorsements that make sense to the union’s policies and are meant to strengthen relationships for the union as a whole and strengthen our rights,” said Vice President Randi DiAntonio, who chairs the SWPAC. “These are not based on personal politics.”
“PEF remains focused on alleviating the affordability crisis facing members,” said Legislative Director Pat Lyons. “That is why PEF fought for a good contract and secured Tier 6 reform focused on reducing employee contributions to the pension plan for Tier 6 members. But, we know we have much more to do more.”
PEF’s endorsement process included discussions on candidates’ positions on policies to help slow inflation and other cost increases affecting PEF members and other working families.
The PEF Executive Board also voted to endorse fellow member Devin Lander. Lander is a Historian and PEF Steward at the State Education Department.
PEF is now making sure that members know exactly what they’re voting for. As more federal budget cuts to non-defense spending come down from Washington, PEF anticipates federal Medicaid spending to drop by $8-$10 billion the next state fiscal year with additional federal cuts coming to the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and for public schools. New York will need to find a way to meet these new unanticipated costs in its fiscal plan if it does not get a proper share of federal support. PEF is supporting candidates that will say no to the President’s proposed budget to make further cuts to Medicaid, education, housing, climate and environment initiatives, grant programs to states, and eliminating programs like FEMA and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which would harm our rural communities.
“PEF has and will continue to support legislation that reduces costs, enhances benefits and keeps members safe on the job,” said Vice President DiAntonio. “We need to elect candidates to office who understand the difficulties faced by public employees – from short staffing to workplace violence to affordability – make that goal significantly easier.”
Early voting in New York begins on October 24 and runs through November 1. Election Day is November 3, 2026, with polls statewide open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Check the New York State Board of Elections website to find your polling place.
Members can find the list of union-endorsed candidates aon PEF’s website under the PEF Endorsements tab.