New York City Councilmember Letitia “Tish” James, a staunch ally of 1199SEIU and native Brooklynite, won a decisive victory on October 1 in a runoff election for the office of New York City Public Advocate.

James succeeds Bill de Blasio, the Union’s endorsed candidate in the New York City mayoral race, who won a big primary victory on September 10. The Public Advocate steps in if the mayor is unable to fulfill his or her duties.

1199SEIU members played an essential role in James’ runoff victory, volunteering tirelessly in the days leading up to the election and on Election Day. They canvassed, phone banked, prepared literature and made sure that their fellow 1199ers throughout the city knew about the race. The runoff was necessary because none of the five candidates who sought the office in the September 10 primary garnered more than 40 percent of the vote.

On the day of the run-off election in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood, James’ headquarters was buzzing with activity as volunteers passed through. Among them was Arlene McDonald, a home attendant with the New York Foundation Agency. McDonald canvassed and knocked on doors, reminding her fellow 1199ers to get out and vote.

“I’ve been supporting for Tish for years, “ said McDonald, a resident of Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. “She’s really for the people. She comes to our neighborhood meetings.”

James handily beat State Senator Daniel Squadron, winning nearly 60 percent of the vote. The victory is significant on numerous fronts. James is the first African American woman elected to citywide office in New York City. She is also fiercely progressive and has consistently been a voice for the city’s working families and underserved.

In her victory speech James vowed to continue fighting for the city’s working class, to improve it’s schools, fight for more affordable housing and to prove that government can be a force to improve the quality of citizens' lives.

“Tish’s victory will be good for everybody. It will be good for homecare workers and the people we take care of – we’ll get treated with respect and maybe we’ll even get a raise,” said Sheila Orange, also a home attendant with the New York Foundation Agency.