The second-largest public workers union in New York state issued early endorsements to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli ahead of their expected re-election campaigns next year. 

The Public Employees Federation backed both Democratic incumbents on Friday, with Schumer being credited for his efforts at securing billions of dollars in federal aid for the state. 

The state workforce would have been affected by potentially steep spending reductions proposed earlier this year if the federal aid was not approved. 

“Majority Leader Schumer came through when New Yorkers needed it most, delivering tens of billions of dollars in relief to the State and saving thousands of jobs in the economic wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “He has always been there for the workers I represent, and we will be there for him on Election Day in 2022.”

The union also praised DiNapoli's handling of the state's pension fund. 

“More than one million current and former state and municipal workers rely on the fund to pay promised and future benefits,” said PEF Vice President Randi DiAntonio, who chairs the union’s Statewide Political Action Committee. “Comptroller DiNapoli is the sole trustee of that plan and is managing the investments in a sound and responsible way, including divesting from fossil fuels while making prudent short- and long-term investments in sustainable energy companies.”