Controversial mayoral primary coincides with reelection challenge for influential teachers union leader
Michael Mulgrew is facing a more challenging race, which may impact the endorsement process.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — The president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), one of the largest teachers unions in the country, is currently facing a significant leadership challenge that could complicate his influence in what is expected to be New York City's most contentious Democratic mayoral primary in years.
Michael Mulgrew, who has led the nearly 200,000-member UFT since 2009, finds himself in a highly competitive reelection campaign, marking one of the toughest tests of his leadership to date. In contrast to 2021, when he was secure in his position and utilized a super PAC, partially funded by union resources, to contribute nearly $4 million to support then-Comptroller Scott Stringer's mayoral run, the upcoming election presents new uncertainties.
Whether Mulgrew can maintain his leadership and how the union will position itself in the mayoral race remains uncertain. However, the UFT's endorsement holds the potential to significantly influence the Democratic primary outcome.
Education professor David Bloomfield from Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center believes Mulgrew's chances of reelection are not necessarily linked to his voting influence. He notes, however, that member dissatisfaction could make it challenging for educators to rally behind his leadership. “The resources they bring can have an influence, but I think delivering the teacher vote is more difficult than ever because of rank-and-file dissatisfaction with his leadership,” he said, emphasizing that the UFT’s endorsement could be beneficial but is “by no means predictive of the outcome.”
Ballots for the UFT election will be counted from late May to the first week of June, with the union's endorsement for the June 24 mayoral primary likely contingent on the reelection results for Mulgrew.
The mayoral primary is shaping up to be fiercely competitive. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is grappling with federal corruption charges, declining approval ratings, and the need to explain his warm relationship with former President Donald Trump, particularly following the latter's Department of Justice dropping corruption charges against him. Additionally, former Governor Andrew Cuomo is anticipated to announce his candidacy soon, joining other serious candidates such as Stringer and current Comptroller Brad Lander.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (unrelated to the mayor) is also contemplating a run, and the endorsements from the city’s prominent unions will undoubtedly play a key role in the electoral dynamics, though their exact contributions are still being determined.
At present, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council is supporting Adams, while the New York City District Council of Carpenters seems set to endorse Cuomo. The nation’s largest healthcare union, 1199 SEIU, has yet to declare its endorsement. Both 32BJ SEIU and District Council 37 backed Adams in 2021 and are privately urging Adrienne Adams to enter the race.
“If there’s a candidate that appeals to education or appeals to his members… he may weigh in on the mayor’s race even though his race isn’t over,” someone knowledgeable about Mulgrew's strategy, requesting anonymity, stated.
The UFT's backing remains uncertain, as does Mulgrew's future as its leader. He has faced backlash from retired educators due to his support for a transition to a privatized Medicare Advantage plan, as well as from current teachers dissatisfied with new curricula and perceived inadequate pay raises. These issues also reflect the frustrations educators have with Adams.
“They haven’t been huge fans of the way that Adams has run the school system,” noted Peter Allen-Lamphere, a member of the Movement of Rank and File Educators, an opposition caucus. “Usually they back the incumbent because the incumbent is likely to win and their main political orientation is backing the winner… It’s not clear at all that Adams is the favorite in this race.”
Allen-Lamphere also pointed out a steady decline in the union’s capacity to mobilize its members over the years.
Mulgrew faces a challenging reelection, with his Unity caucus having maintained control since the 1960s. Since winning his first full term in 2010, he has consistently garnered a majority. Although opposition groups have tried to gain power over the leadership throughout the union’s 65-year existence, few have succeeded in displacing an incumbent president.
A shift in sentiment with regard to union leadership became evident in 2022 when Mulgrew was reelected by the narrowest margin in his tenure. Frustration over his policies related to pandemic-era schooling and Medicare Advantage led opposition caucuses to unite. Tensions intensified in June when Mulgrew’s caucus lost its majority in the Retired Teachers chapter election, which could indicate a significant shift in member attitudes.
“Everybody saw the results of the last election,” Jonathan Halabi, assistant secretary for the Retired Teachers chapter, affirmed. “Everybody knows that the retirees shifting really would change how elections happen, and everybody is nervous or excited because nobody knows if that’s a permanent change, a one-time change [or] a gradual change.”
In response to this dissent, Mulgrew has since withdrawn his support for Medicare Advantage and has advocated for adjustments to the city’s math and reading curricula. He is also attempting to bypass collective bargaining to increase the pay of teacher aides who assist students with disabilities.
Opposition to Mulgrew's leadership is mounting, with figures such as Olivia Swisher, a Brooklyn chapter leader, and Amy Arundell, a former borough official reassigned after criticizing a resolution on Hamas’ attacks in Israel, vying for leadership on separate slates.
“I see a very strong, powerful union, I see a very respected and accomplished labor leader and I expect that to continue,” Stringer said. “Whoever [is] the next mayor is gonna need an experienced leader to meet the educational challenges in the city.”
Union endorsement decisions remain speculative. Historically, the UFT has not endorsed a successful mayoral candidate since supporting David Dinkins in 1989. In 2013, it backed Bill Thompson, who was defeated by Bill de Blasio. Although Mulgrew supported Stringer in 2021, it was Adams who ultimately claimed the primary.
The union plans to distribute questionnaires to mayoral candidates next month, leading to a forum and eventual recommendations by a committee that oversees union operations, with final endorsement resting on a vote by the Delegate Assembly. However, many rank-and-file members perceive this vote as more of a formality with Mulgrew wielding the ultimate decision-making power.
Endorsing Cuomo could invoke discontent among union members due to his criticism, particularly regarding his response to accusations of sexual harassment and his controversial education policies. Likewise, Stringer, once a promising candidate, saw his campaign sidelined by sexual misconduct allegations, although Mulgrew stood by him.
To secure the union’s endorsement, Stringer will need to improve his polling numbers, as suggested by a source familiar with Mulgrew's views. “He’s got a lot to think about before he endorses a mayoral candidate,” noted political consultant George Arzt, suggesting that Mulgrew may be inclined to wait for a candidate who stands out, especially if it becomes a split ticket.
At this crossroads, union officials, while declining to comment on Mulgrew’s strategies, insist he does not have unilateral control over endorsements. “He gets the recommendations and he trusts us to ask those good questions and for our recommendations,” explained Vincent Corletta of UFT’s Queens political action committee.
The UFT endorsement is still highly coveted, given its potential for financial contributions to campaigns. Candidates such as Stringer, state Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, and Michael Blake are actively pursuing the union’s backing. Meanwhile, Lander expressed his desire for teacher support, and a spokesperson for Cuomo declined to comment.
Ultimately, the UFT's future direction, including Mulgrew's leadership and the union's endorsement decisions, remains to be seen as this unfolding political drama plays out.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Michael Mulgrew, who has led the nearly 200,000-member UFT since 2009, finds himself in a highly competitive reelection campaign, marking one of the toughest tests of his leadership to date. In contrast to 2021, when he was secure in his position and utilized a super PAC, partially funded by union resources, to contribute nearly $4 million to support then-Comptroller Scott Stringer's mayoral run, the upcoming election presents new uncertainties.
Whether Mulgrew can maintain his leadership and how the union will position itself in the mayoral race remains uncertain. However, the UFT's endorsement holds the potential to significantly influence the Democratic primary outcome.
Education professor David Bloomfield from Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center believes Mulgrew's chances of reelection are not necessarily linked to his voting influence. He notes, however, that member dissatisfaction could make it challenging for educators to rally behind his leadership. “The resources they bring can have an influence, but I think delivering the teacher vote is more difficult than ever because of rank-and-file dissatisfaction with his leadership,” he said, emphasizing that the UFT’s endorsement could be beneficial but is “by no means predictive of the outcome.”
Ballots for the UFT election will be counted from late May to the first week of June, with the union's endorsement for the June 24 mayoral primary likely contingent on the reelection results for Mulgrew.
The mayoral primary is shaping up to be fiercely competitive. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is grappling with federal corruption charges, declining approval ratings, and the need to explain his warm relationship with former President Donald Trump, particularly following the latter's Department of Justice dropping corruption charges against him. Additionally, former Governor Andrew Cuomo is anticipated to announce his candidacy soon, joining other serious candidates such as Stringer and current Comptroller Brad Lander.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (unrelated to the mayor) is also contemplating a run, and the endorsements from the city’s prominent unions will undoubtedly play a key role in the electoral dynamics, though their exact contributions are still being determined.
At present, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council is supporting Adams, while the New York City District Council of Carpenters seems set to endorse Cuomo. The nation’s largest healthcare union, 1199 SEIU, has yet to declare its endorsement. Both 32BJ SEIU and District Council 37 backed Adams in 2021 and are privately urging Adrienne Adams to enter the race.
“If there’s a candidate that appeals to education or appeals to his members… he may weigh in on the mayor’s race even though his race isn’t over,” someone knowledgeable about Mulgrew's strategy, requesting anonymity, stated.
The UFT's backing remains uncertain, as does Mulgrew's future as its leader. He has faced backlash from retired educators due to his support for a transition to a privatized Medicare Advantage plan, as well as from current teachers dissatisfied with new curricula and perceived inadequate pay raises. These issues also reflect the frustrations educators have with Adams.
“They haven’t been huge fans of the way that Adams has run the school system,” noted Peter Allen-Lamphere, a member of the Movement of Rank and File Educators, an opposition caucus. “Usually they back the incumbent because the incumbent is likely to win and their main political orientation is backing the winner… It’s not clear at all that Adams is the favorite in this race.”
Allen-Lamphere also pointed out a steady decline in the union’s capacity to mobilize its members over the years.
Mulgrew faces a challenging reelection, with his Unity caucus having maintained control since the 1960s. Since winning his first full term in 2010, he has consistently garnered a majority. Although opposition groups have tried to gain power over the leadership throughout the union’s 65-year existence, few have succeeded in displacing an incumbent president.
A shift in sentiment with regard to union leadership became evident in 2022 when Mulgrew was reelected by the narrowest margin in his tenure. Frustration over his policies related to pandemic-era schooling and Medicare Advantage led opposition caucuses to unite. Tensions intensified in June when Mulgrew’s caucus lost its majority in the Retired Teachers chapter election, which could indicate a significant shift in member attitudes.
“Everybody saw the results of the last election,” Jonathan Halabi, assistant secretary for the Retired Teachers chapter, affirmed. “Everybody knows that the retirees shifting really would change how elections happen, and everybody is nervous or excited because nobody knows if that’s a permanent change, a one-time change [or] a gradual change.”
In response to this dissent, Mulgrew has since withdrawn his support for Medicare Advantage and has advocated for adjustments to the city’s math and reading curricula. He is also attempting to bypass collective bargaining to increase the pay of teacher aides who assist students with disabilities.
Opposition to Mulgrew's leadership is mounting, with figures such as Olivia Swisher, a Brooklyn chapter leader, and Amy Arundell, a former borough official reassigned after criticizing a resolution on Hamas’ attacks in Israel, vying for leadership on separate slates.
“I see a very strong, powerful union, I see a very respected and accomplished labor leader and I expect that to continue,” Stringer said. “Whoever [is] the next mayor is gonna need an experienced leader to meet the educational challenges in the city.”
Union endorsement decisions remain speculative. Historically, the UFT has not endorsed a successful mayoral candidate since supporting David Dinkins in 1989. In 2013, it backed Bill Thompson, who was defeated by Bill de Blasio. Although Mulgrew supported Stringer in 2021, it was Adams who ultimately claimed the primary.
The union plans to distribute questionnaires to mayoral candidates next month, leading to a forum and eventual recommendations by a committee that oversees union operations, with final endorsement resting on a vote by the Delegate Assembly. However, many rank-and-file members perceive this vote as more of a formality with Mulgrew wielding the ultimate decision-making power.
Endorsing Cuomo could invoke discontent among union members due to his criticism, particularly regarding his response to accusations of sexual harassment and his controversial education policies. Likewise, Stringer, once a promising candidate, saw his campaign sidelined by sexual misconduct allegations, although Mulgrew stood by him.
To secure the union’s endorsement, Stringer will need to improve his polling numbers, as suggested by a source familiar with Mulgrew's views. “He’s got a lot to think about before he endorses a mayoral candidate,” noted political consultant George Arzt, suggesting that Mulgrew may be inclined to wait for a candidate who stands out, especially if it becomes a split ticket.
At this crossroads, union officials, while declining to comment on Mulgrew’s strategies, insist he does not have unilateral control over endorsements. “He gets the recommendations and he trusts us to ask those good questions and for our recommendations,” explained Vincent Corletta of UFT’s Queens political action committee.
The UFT endorsement is still highly coveted, given its potential for financial contributions to campaigns. Candidates such as Stringer, state Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, and Michael Blake are actively pursuing the union’s backing. Meanwhile, Lander expressed his desire for teacher support, and a spokesperson for Cuomo declined to comment.
Ultimately, the UFT's future direction, including Mulgrew's leadership and the union's endorsement decisions, remains to be seen as this unfolding political drama plays out.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
