Fort Greene

Ede Fox hopes TWU support drives her to primary win

Transportation workers endorse Fort Greene council candidate

July 11, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Ede Fox is running against incumbent Laurie Cumbo in the Democratic Primary. Photo courtesy of Fox’s campaign
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Ede Fox, who is challenging incumbent Councilmember Laurie Cumbo in the Democratic primary, is hoping that a recent endorsement she received from the Transportation Workers Union (TWU) will help drive her to victory in September.

TWU was one of four unions and grassroots political organizations that announced its support for Fox in recent weeks.

Fox also has the backing of the United Auto Workers Region 9A, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) and New York Communities for Change. 

“I am humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of four organizations who take on the fight for worker’s rights and tenant’s rights and who fight for working and low-income families day in and day out, ” Fox said in a statement.

Fox is running against Cumbo in the Sept. 12 primary in the 35th Council District.

Cumbo has represented the district, which includes Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and parts of other Central Brooklyn neighborhoods, since 2013. She is running for her second term in office.

Cumbo picked up a high-profile endorsement when the seven members of the City Council’s LGBTQ caucus announced last month that they are supporting her re-election bid.

The caucus members are Ritchie Torres, Daniel Drumm, Rosie Mendez, Corey Johnson, James Van Bramer, James Vacca and Carlos Menchaca.     

“Laurie Cumbo has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights. She is an ally that we counted on when we fought to protect the rights of LGBT students and transgender women of color,” said Councilmember Rosie Mendez (D-Manhattan), chairperson of the LGBTQ Caucus.

Cumbo said she is excited about the endorsement from her colleagues. 

“I have been proud to work with my colleagues on issues that include HIV/AIDS prevention, stronger advocacy for transgender women of color, creation of the Sex-Ed Task Force, working to make safer schools for LGBT students and fighting to end disparities in health access for LGBT New Yorkers,” Cumbo said in a statement.  

But Fox said the endorsements that she has received from the TWU, United Auto Workers Region 9A, CBID and New York Communities for Change are significant.  “I look forward to continue to partner with them in the coming months to win this election,” she stated. 

“Transportation Workers Union is proud to endorse Ede Fox for City Council. Ede has been an advocate for the hardworking people of our city and we know she’ll continue her work defending workers’ rights in the City Council,” International President of TWU John Samuelsen said. 

CBID President Benjamin Solotaire said the endorsement of Fox came easy for his club.

“Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats want a council member we can trust to represent the community’s interests and needs, and we know Ede Fox will be that councilwoman,” he said in a statement. “We know her years of experience in city government and working for the community will make her an effective and hardworking councilmember.” 

Fox is the former chief of staff to Councilmember Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush) and has also previously served on Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s staff.

 

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