NORTHAMPTON – City Council President Gina-Louise Sciarra has picked up endorsements from two area labor organizations as she campaigns against four other candidates for mayor.
On Wednesday, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 336 endorsed Sciarra, citing her work to pass an order, a City Council resolution and an executive policy that all fight wage theft in the city.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of Carpenters Local 336. Sustainable economic growth is impossible without workers’ rights,” said Sciarra in a statement. “I have long supported efforts, collaborating with Local 336 and other labor advocates, to protect the right to organize and combat wage theft. I’ll continue to do that as Mayor.”
Sciarra is running in the Sept. 28 preliminary election against social worker Shanna Fishel, multicultural organizational developer Rosechana Gordon, 10-time candidate Roy Martin and transportation analyst Marc Warner.
The two winners on Sept. 28 will advance to the Nov. 2 general election. Mayor David Narkewicz is not seeking reelection.
Local 336 Union Representative Lisa Clauson said she has worked with Sciarra personally “and can attest to the fact that she prioritizes workers’ rights and puts in the work necessary to improve workers’ lives.”
The Western Mass Area Labor Federation, which represents 30,000 workers, endorsed Sciarra’s campaign last week, also citing her work against wage theft, and Sciarra has received the endorsement of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus. Fishel has earned the endorsement of the political arm of the National Association of Social Workers’ Massachusetts chapter.
Sciarra and Fishel each took the NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts City Champion pledge, which the organization describes as a commitment “to protecting everyone’s right to access the full range of reproductive health options, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing safe, legal abortion.”
Several Northampton City Council candidates took the City Champion pledge, as well: Marissa Elkins and Michelle Serra, candidates for two at-large seats; Jesse Hassinger, candidate in Ward 4; and Karen Foster, running for reelection in Ward 2.
There are five candidates running for two at-large City Council seats, and voters will eliminate one of those candidates in the Sept. 28 preliminary election. In additiont to Elkins and Serra, Jamila Gore, David Murphy and Michael Quinlan are also vying for the chance to appear on the November ballot.
On Sunday, Gore will appear at a fundraiser at the 46 Franklin St. home of Sarah Buttenwieser and Hosie Baskin. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Several local officials are expected to be in attendance, including members of City Council and the School Committee, along with state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton.
Sabadosa said she met Gore when Gore expressed interest in the Emerge Massachusetts training program for Democratic women who want to run for office.
Also on Sunday, the Ward 1A Neighborhood Circle is planning to host City Council candidates Emily “Lemy” Coffin and Stanley Moulton at Agnes Fox Playground, 253 State St. The 4:30 p.m. event was rescheduled from last Sunday due to Tropical Storm Henri.
In addition to mayor and councilor at-large, voters in November will see races for City Council in wards 1, 3 and 4; School Committee in wards 2 and 6; Forbes Library trustee; Smith Vocational trustee; and Elector Under the Oliver Smith Will.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.