WHEREAS, the New York City primary election will be held on June 24, 2025, and will feature candidates for borough president, public advocate and city comptroller; and

WHEREAS, Keith Powers, who is running for Manhattan borough president, has been a staunch advocate for addressing overcrowding, underfunding and understaffing in city public schools while serving on the City Council; and

WHEREAS, Khari Edwards, who is running for Brooklyn borough president, has years of experience as a humanitarian and health care advocate; and

WHEREAS, these two candidates submitted policy questionnaires and participated in interviews conducted by borough-based UFT screening committees, led by each borough’s UFT political action coordinator; and

WHEREAS, incumbents Vanessa Gibson, the Bronx borough president, and Donovan Richards, the Queens borough president, have demonstrated their commitment to supporting our schools, educators and our union; and

WHEREAS, Jumaane Williams, the current public advocate, has long been a vocal supporter of public education and was the lead sponsor of the Paid Family Leave Act during his time in the City Council, which required all New York City employees to receive paid family leave; and

WHEREAS, Jumaane Williams promises to continue to support public school educators and ameliorate inequality in education by ending the chronic underfunding of schools that service minority and immigrant communities; and

WHEREAS, Mark Levine, who is running for city comptroller, was evaluated on the completion of a 14-page policy questionnaire and interviews conducted by our UFT Teachers’ Retirement System trustees; and

WHEREAS, Mark Levine has demonstrated his astute ability to balance a budget and manage city finances as a member of the City Council and as the Manhattan borough president; and

WHEREAS, Mark Levine is a former UFT member and bilingual math and science teacher in the Bronx who has always served as a champion for our public schools and educators, students and families; and

WHEREAS, Mark Levine has partnered with the UFT and lent support on issues such as the reopening of public schools after the pandemic and has been a strong supporter of UFT programs, including Teacher’s Choice, UFT Teacher Centers and United Community Schools; and

WHEREAS, it is important that the UFT unifies and stands behind candidates that it believes will act in the best interest of its members over the next four years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorse Keith Powers for the Manhattan borough president and Khari Edwards for Brooklyn borough president; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT continue to support Donovan Richards for Queens borough president and Vanessa Gibson for Bronx borough president; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorse Jumaane Williams for re-election for New York City public advocate; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT endorse Mark Levine in the primary election for city comptroller.