The Chippewa Democratic Club announced its endorsement of Shirley Aldebol for Council Member of the Bronx’s 13th District on Thursday, June 5.
One of the oldest active Democratic organizations in New York City, the Chippewa Democratic Club said it chose to endorse Aldebol following an extensive member-driven review process.
“I am very grateful to receive the endorsement of Chippewa Democratic Club in the CD13 Democratic Primary. This endorsement shows that Democrats in CD13 understand the importance of winning this seat, and know that I am the best candidate to make that happen,” Aldebol said. “I look forward to working alongside you all to finish the primary strong in June, and win in November!”
The Chippewa Democratic Club’s endorsement came after it held a candidate meet and greet in February and a candidate forum in May that attracted more than 40 attendees.
“Shirley Aldebol has dedicated her career to fighting for working families. Her breadth of experience — from the Bronx neighborhoods where she grew up to the boardrooms where she demanded fair pay and better benefits — has equipped her with the tools to be a strong negotiator for District 13,” State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said. “I’m proud to stand with Shirley because I know she’ll bring that same dedication and determination to the City Council.”
Aldebol has an extensive history in the labor movement. While working as a child welfare case worker in New York City, Aldebol became heavily involved with her union, SSEU Local 371. She would eventually be promoted to the union’s executive vice president, before volunteering to assist the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in organizing public employees in Puerto Rico.
She would eventually be named the organizing director of AFSCME in Puerto Rico. In this role, she organized and won a campaign to secure collective bargaining rights for public employees. Also during her time at AFSCME, Aldebol served as the union’s Northwest Regional Director. She led the East Coast of the United States during this period, stretching from Maine to Puerto Rico.
“Shirley Aldebol has dedicated her life to serving working people,” Assemblymember Michael Benedetto said. “In a few short months, she has put together an impressive campaign from folks of all walks of life. I look forward to campaigning for her in the coming months.”
Since 2004, Aldebol has served as a member of 32BJ SEIU. Throughout her tenure there, some of her noteworthy accomplishments included standing up to big landlords to secure fair contracts for commercial building service workers. She also won higher wages for New York City public school custodial workers. Additionally, she successfully negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement for service workersat airports in New York and New Jersey.
“I’m proud to support Shirley Aldebol for New York City Council in District 13. As a lifelong labor leader with deep roots in 32BJ, Shirley brings the courage, conviction and community commitment that we need to deliver real results for all working families in the East Bronx,” New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias said. “Shirley is the kind of Democrat who doesn’t just talk about progress—she organizes, she builds coalitions, and she fights for it. She understands what working-class Bronxites are up against because she’s lived it and led through it.”
Aldebol has served on the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors. In that position, she has advocated for responsible development that creates great jobs that sustain families.
“On behalf of the Chippewa Democratic Club, we congratulate Shirley on running a strong campaign that attracted the support of many of our members and the community at large. With her decades of service to the labor community, Shirley intimately knows the challenges middle-class and working people face,” Democratic District Leaders John Doyle, Rebecca Nieves and Tremaine O’Garro said. “We look forward to working with her to win this primary and to unite our party behind her for a general election victory.”
The other Democratic candidates in the primary, include David Diaz, Jacqueline Torres, Theona Reets-DuPont, John Perez, and Joel Rivera.
Early voting begins on Saturday, June 14. Bronx residents have until then to register to vote in order to participate.
