New York state's second-largest public-sector union has endorsed Zephyr Teachout's long-shot bid to oust Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The Public Employees Federation represents 54,000 state workers who mainly work in white-collar positions. Union President Susan Kent said Thursday that her group took what she called a "bold step" by backing Cuomo's liberal primary challenger Teachout and her running mate in next month's Democratic primary.
Meanwhile, the state's powerful teachers' union said Thursday that it won't endorse any candidate in the race.
Union executive vice president Andrew Pallotta says members fiercely debated the endorsement but ultimately decided to stay out of the race. The union also sat out of the 2010 gubernatorial race.
This year's other candidates for governor include Republican Rob Astorino and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.
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