Great Neck’s Robert Zimmerman’s campaign recently announced three endorsements from former Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union in the Democratic primary for  the 3rd Congressional District. 

McCarthy, 78, represented the 4th Congressional District from 1997-2015. 

“I am proud to endorse Robert Zimmerman for Congress. Over the course of my tenure in the United States House of Representatives, I championed many issues, chief among them combating gun violence and protecting women’s reproductive rights. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decisions on concealed carry and abortion, we need genuine fighters representing us in Congress,” McCarthy said in a statement.

“I have worked with Robert Zimmerman, and know that he will be a leader in combating an extremist ideology that both glorifies guns and seeks to rescind fundamental human rights.”

The United Food and Commercial Local 15-00 represents 17,000 grocery workers in the food retail industry and includes all of the district. 

“Robert Zimmerman is the right candidate to represent this district in Congress – and I know that as our representative, he will be a powerful advocate for working people,” Local 1500 President Robert Newell said in a statement. “Robert knows how to get things done and has the experience and skillset to deliver for our communities in Long Island and Queens.”

Zimmerman said he will fight to pass legislation that helps working people.

“I am honored to stand together with the hardworking members of UFCW Local 1500 as the candidate of organized labor in this race,” Zimmerman said. “Our grocery workers have served on the frontlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – enduring significant health and safety risks while ensuring that our food supply remained safe, and our grocery stores stocked so families could put food on the table.” 

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union represents 60,000 in the United States.

“Robert has been a champion for progressive causes his entire career,” Union President Stuart Applebaum said. “As someone with experience working on Capitol Hill, and many national causes and campaigns, Robert is the best candidate to serve the needs of residents in New York’s 3rd Congressional District. The RWDSU is proud to support Robert because we know from his strong record of advocacy that he will always prioritize the needs of our members and their families.”

Zimmerman said he will be a vocal partner in advancing a pro-worker agenda. 

“I am honored to receive the support of the RWDSU as part of the growing coalition of organized labor that has joined our campaign. In Congress, I pledge to be a tireless advocate for our labor members and their families,” Zimmerman said. “From fighting to pass the PRO Act to advocating for fair pay, safe workplace conditions, and better benefits – fighting for working families will be at the core of my priorities in Washington, DC.” L

Zimmerman is co-president of ZE Creative Communications on Bond Street in Great Neck, a public relations firm he started 33 years ago with Ron Edelson.

He is seeking the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who is running for governor.

If elected, Zimmerman would become the first openly gay member of Congress from Long Island and Queens.

Since his announcement this year, Zimmerman’s campaign has raised over $900,000.

Other endorsements for Zimmerman’s campaign have come from former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Assemblyman Charles Lavine and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Also running for the Democratic nomination in the district’s Aug. 23 primary are former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, Melanie D’Arrigo of Port Washington and Oyster Bay’s Reema Rasool.

George Santos is seeking the Republican nomination.

New district maps were submitted recently by a court-appointed “special master” and have been viewed as more neutral compared to ones that were rejected by a state appeals court several weeks ago.

While the 3rd Congressional District under the new proposal does not extend as far west as the Bronx or Westchester, it does stretch to more southern parts of Nassau County such as Hicksville and Massapequa. The new lines do exclude the parts of the district that now stretch into Suffolk County, mainly Huntington and Smithtown.

George Santos is seeking the Republican nomination.