The powerful health-care union Local 1199 is endorsing former City Councilman Bill Perkins against C. Virginia Fields in the race for a Harlem state Senate seat.
It’s a boost for Perkins, since the union is known for an effective get-out-the-vote operation.
“We’re getting involved in this race early, and we’re going to invest our energy heavily, because it’s important to have leaders in Albany who are progressive people of action and results, like Bill Perkins,” 1199 leader Dennis Rivera told The Post.
Perkins and Fields, the former Manhattan Borough President who ran a failed bid for mayor last year, are vying to replace David Paterson. The Senate minority leader is quitting to be gubernatorial hopeful Eliot Spitzer’s running mate.
Perkins pointed out that nearly 8,000 of 1199’s members live in the district, and said it’s “one of the most important endorsements that will be made in this race. I’m grateful for the support.”