NYS AFL-CIO Endorses Blake Gendebien for Congress in NY-21

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Monday, August 31, 2026

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NYS AFL-CIO Endorses Blake Gendebien for Congress in NY-21

Statewide labor federation joins growing coalition of unions backing Gendebien’s campaign

LISBON, N.Y. — The New York State AFL-CIO announced its endorsement of Blake Gendebien for Congress in New York’s 21st District, adding the state’s largest labor federation to a coalition of unions that have lined up behind his campaign this cycle.

The AFL-CIO’s endorsement joins support Gendebien has already earned from IBEW Local 910, IBEW Local 2032, IBEW Local 43, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, LIUNA Local 1822, Teamsters Local 687, UFCW Local 1, 1199SEIU, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2, CSEA, Central New York Labor Council, and NYSUT.

“The New York State AFL-CIO is proud to endorse Blake Gendebien for New York’s 21st Congressional District, where we represent over 145,000 union members and their families,” said Kevin Eitzmann, Political Director, NYS AFL-CIO. “Blake is committed to advocating for the issues that working people care about, including lowering costs and improving healthcare. At a time when working people are constantly under attack by the administration in Washington, we need leaders like Blake who will fight for our rights, dignity, and respect. We look forward to engaging our members to ensure a victory on Election Day.”

“One in three households in this district are union households. If you’re not representing labor, you’re not representing NY-21,” said Gendebien. “Labor will always have a seat at the table with me. Union members built the middle class in this country, and they deserve a representative in Washington who has their back. That means supporting our working families and bringing the kind of investment to Northern New York that creates good union jobs.”

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Blake and his wife Carmen have raised their three sons on Twin Mill Farms in Lisbon, milking 500 cows and farming 1200 acres. Blake and Carmen also started The Jules of Life Foundation, which provides resources and support to North Country families battling pediatric cancer. For the past 10 years, Blake has served as Vice Chair of the Cooperative Board of Agri-Mark, representing the interests of farmers from across the region. He is a former member of the Lisbon Central School Board and was a longtime junior varsity basketball coach. Blake is committed to being a bipartisan leader who will lower costs, save our rural healthcare, and end the corruption in Washington.