A 20,000-member labor union that represents resident physicians and fellows in health care is set to endorse Ana María Archila in the race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. 

The endorsement to be announced later on Wednesday by the Committee on Interns and Residents SEIU comes as voting will begin Saturday in the statewide primaries. The primary itself is June 28. 

Archila's endorsement comes a day after Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is launching a $300,000 radio ad buy to raise his profile with voters after he was sworn into the job last month. The endorsements and ads highlight a campaign that remains potentially competitive heading into the final days.

They will also face Diana Reyna, a former New York City councilwoman who is the preferred running mate of Rep. Tom Suozzi.  

Archila, who is running on an informal ticket with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, praised the work of the union members. 

“When my father was a resident working endless hours, I never got to see him. Resident physicians do essential work that has saved countless lives, during and before the pandemic,” she said. “I am so proud to receive the endorsement of CIR/SEIU members and to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with them for fair wages and protections for residents, for the rights of all workers, and for truly universal health care that ensures all New Yorkers’ wellbeing.”

The union pointed to Archila's support for health care policies they align with, as well as support for expanding the rights of workers. 

"CIR members are incredibly proud to endorse Ana María Archila for Lieutenant Governor of New York. As doctors, we care for our patients every day on the frontlines and see the issues that our communities are grappling with,” said Dr. Michael Zingman, the national secretary-treasurer Committee of Interns and Residents SEIU. “Ana María is fighting for the health care priorities and the systemic change that Resident Physicians so desperately need to serve our patients and care for ourselves. With a record of fighting for reproductive justice, advancing workers' rights, and centering the voices of our most marginalized, Ana María has our full support as we know that she will be a committed fighter for Residents and the patients we serve." 

Delgado's campaign, meanwhile, announced Tuesday his radio campaign will play on ethnic stations and focus on his biography as a Harvard graduate, Rhodes scholar, and former member of Congress in the Hudson Valley. 

In the ad, Delgado highlights his support for voting and abortion rights as well as "meaningful reform to strengthen our gun laws that make our communities safer." 

Delgado was selected earlier this spring by Gov. Kathy Hochul to fill the office after the resignation of Brian Benjamin amid bribery and fraud charges.

Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately in party primary elections. The winners form an official ticket for the general election in November.