Yesterday's primary election told an important story. Fringe Democratic Socialist candidates took out long-term incumbents in everything from Assembly to congressional races. However, there were two critical races where the insurgents were met with crushing defeats: State Senate District 23 and the State Comptroller's race. They are the two races where we directly took on the fight.

Outside the Governor, the State Comptroller is arguably the most important elected office in New York State. Whoever occupies the position holds the key to the pension system and the billions of dollars locked inside. Sought after by socialists and capitalists alike for the same reason, to take your retirement money and make it theirs. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a careful steward of this money, has long been an impediment to those that would raid pensions. This election represented an effort to remove that impediment.

In the case of Senate District 23, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton had the audacity to say cops shouldn't be threatened, doxxed, or have their families put in danger. She even went so far as to author a bill that would prevent it. She stood with us on the steps of City Hall and demanded an end to the violence against police. These were cardinal sins to the DSA. Jessica was beset upon by a primary opponent who meant to remove her pro-police voice from the Senate permanently.

Both these races were too important to lose. In both races, we didn't only win; we won by such wide margins they will give pause to anyone who wants to try again. We won these races despite the DSA having success almost everywhere else.

We won because we came together. Police, Corrections, Probation Officers, and many others united statewide. In total, over 80 unions, coalitions, and conferences joined the NYS Public Safety Alliance. Together, we deployed a complex grassroots campaign of phonebanking, door knocking, and leveraging social media. We also formed the first ever statewide law enforcement Super PAC, NYS Frontline Workers. We pooled capital, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. That capital was deployed with surgical precision from Staten Island to Long Island. Billboard trucks, text messages, connected TV, and social media ads were utilized to educate the electorate and motivate them to vote.

The results speak for themselves. When law enforcement unites, we win.

I'd like to extend my thanks to the following people and entities: the DEA and PCNY, who led our coalition; all the unions who helped fund the law enforcement Super PAC; our friends in labor who joined the fight, including NYSPEC. A special thank you to Joe Brock of the SC Retired Detective Association, who helped mobilize our retirees and, most importantly, thank you to everyone who volunteered for a phonebank or a PAC Walk. This is your victory, and it will not be the last.

Fraternally,

Lou Civello

President

Suffolk PBA