Adhering to the motto, “all politics is local”, a phrase attributed to longtime Boston Congressman Tip O’Neill, 1199SEIU political activists in New York’s Capital Region and Hudson Valley took the 2011 primary elections very seriously. In the city of Hudson, home base of Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH), a hot-spot for contract tension, 1199SEIU-backed candidates Dave Marston and Larissa Thomas won their city council seats by a landslide. Sarah Sterling and Ellen Thurston also won their seats for Coumbia County Supervisors. Joseph Macagnone, a member political organizer from CMH, said, “If it wasn’t clear before, it’s clear now – who we are as a union and the strength we have when we work together.”

David Donaldson defeated his opponents with comfortable margins in a three-way primary for Ulster County Legislator in the 6th District. The county, located in the Catskill Mountain region, is the site of Mountainview Nursing Home where caregivers recently became 1199SEIU members, and their friends and neighbors have expressed interest in joining the union.

This was the second time Leslie Sheldon, a certified nursing assistant at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Albany worked on elections as a member political organizer. “When I talk to people at the doors, so many are struggling financially and holding on to hope with a weak thread,” said Sheldon. “After we talked about candidates who can change things right in the neighborhood, I think they felt better. In fact, turnout was higher than it usually is in local elections. I think everyone really wants things to turn around and we’re all trying not to give up.”

The member political organizer team of Macagnone, Sheldon and Denise King (from Rosewood Gardens Nursing Home) will increase in number in the next few weeks, in preparation for the general elections on November, 8, as local politics continue to take the center stage.

- See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/all_politics_is_local_for_capital_region_hudson_valley_1199ers_caphud#sthash.ja4xjoiH.F488Wffd.dpuf

As early as June, the union’s Member Action Teams (MAT) researched the races that could directly impact the areas where they work and live. They looked at neighborhoods and communities they have had, or will have contract fights, and also at places where non-union members want to organize. And they interviewed several candidates. Three weeks before Election Day, canvass teams hit the ground running for the people the members thought would best represent their interests.

The pay-off came on Primary Election Day. In Albany, where the goal was to elect county legislators supportive of the workers at Albany County Nursing Home (ACNH), 1199SEIU members ousted Brian Scavo, the current representative in the 7th District, and led the way for the election of community activist Noelle Kinsch. Along with the Area Labor Federation, members also protected the seat of incumbent Virginia Maffia-Tobler, a teacher, long-time advocate for the workers and residents of ACNH, and a consistent supporter of issues that affect working families.