Transit Union Launches Ad Campaign Against NY Governor Hochul

A major labor union has launched an advertising campaign criticizing New York Governor Kathy Hochul, portraying her as a detrimental figure to Democratic candidates. The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), representing approximately 40,000 New York City subway and bus workers, began airing advertisements on Friday.

The ads state, "Governor Kathy Hochul is so radioactive, even Democratic candidates are running away from her," asserting that elected officials are increasingly recognizing her as a liability for working New Yorkers and their own campaigns.

The union's campaign highlights instances where Democratic candidates have distanced themselves from the governor. These include Long Island Representative Tom Suozzi reportedly skipping a campaign event with Hochul and congressional hopeful Cait Conley being recorded agreeing with her Republican opponent that the governor "has got to go."

John Samuelsen, the head of the TWU, told The Post that the union's super PAC is investing $60,000 in the new ads and an additional $120,000 in statewide television commercials. The union has also distributed "hundreds of thousands" of mailers to union families across New York.

Samuelsen attributed Hochul's perceived toxicity to her actions toward labor unions. "If she wasn’t perpetually attacking trade unions, she wouldn’t be so toxic and maybe other Democrats would be more willing to stand with her," he stated.

According to state campaign finance records, the Transport Workers Union Voice has spent over $450,000 on television advertisements since its registration in July. This increased spending follows a period of conflict between the union and the governor, notably after Hochul vetoed a bill that would have mandated a conductor on all subway trains in addition to a train operator.

In her veto message, Hochul cited the bill's potential annual cost of $10 million, arguing it would reduce service and limit the MTA's ability to adopt new trains and signaling systems. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman criticized the veto, stating it endangered riders and transit workers.

Despite the current animosity, the TWU and its Local 100 affiliate had previously endorsed Hochul and contributed over $175,000 to her campaign accounts between 2018 and 2024.

A spokesperson for Hochul's campaign responded by emphasizing the governor's pro-labor stance, her union background, and her efforts to create union jobs and improve working conditions. The campaign also pointed to the support Hochul has received from over thirty New York unions, contrasting it with the Republican candidate, Bruce Blakeman, whom they described as untrustworthy regarding workers' rights and economic well-being.