Bill de Blasio’s so-far anemic race for mayor just got a big jolt in the arm with the endorsement of one of the city’s most powerful unions: Local 1199SEIU.
The massive heath care organization is the first major union to get behind the public advoate, who is widely seen as the labor darling in the race but had yet to snag a union endorsement.
The move is a blow to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has close ties to the union. A former top operative at 1199, Jennifer Cunningham, is a key strategist for Quinn’s campaign.
It’s also bad news for Bill Thompson, who was hoping for support from the largely African-American union, which has 200,000 members.
One source close to the union said it was a move to show de Blasio’s strength as Anthony Weiner gears up for a run for mayor.
“De Blasio was a dead man walking. They have to save his candidacy and also send a message to Congressman Weiner because obviously Anthony hurts Bill,” since both are from Brooklyn and appeal to similar voters.