(AMHERST, NEW YORK) – Back in 2017, United University Professions (UUP) Member and Labor Activist Jacqui Berger made a decision to run for public office for the first time - and in the process not only won a seat on the Amherst Town Board, but was the top vote-getter with 14,418 votes.  Now, just two years later, Berger is running for the 61st District seat in the New York State Senate in order to provide Labor with a “Union Voice” in State Government.

The 64-year-old Berger told WNYLaborToday.com that she’s “learned a lot” while serving on the Town Board of one of Buffalo’s largest suburbs, but decided to run for state office after being approached by a number of people who thought she would be qualified for the job.

“A number of people came to me and ‘asked me to run.’  They said while Labor ‘has a lot of allies’ in the Senate, (Labor) ‘doesn’t have its own voice,’” she told Your On-Line Labor Newspaper.  “So, this is a ‘great opportunity and one that I can achieve with Labor’s support.’”

UUP Statewide President Frederick Kowal said his Union is “excited” about Berger’s decision to run and echoed her words in regards to “adding a true voice” for both education and Organized Labor: “Jacqui Berger has been a long-time UUP Activist and an extremely hard-working Member of this Union, serving many statewide appointed and elected positions for UUP.  When she was elected to the Amherst Town Board, she was part of that town’s first all-Democratic Government.  She had great support from Labor in that campaign and we believe she will carry this success forward in her new candidacy.  Our Union is excited about adding a true voice for higher education to the state Senate and our Union will work hard on her behalf.”

Berger, who has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Tulane University, has spent her career as an Educator, currently teaching at the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Empire State College, and as a Labor Leader, locally and nationally, through her work with the UUP-affiliated New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Berger, who’s currently serving the third year of a four-year term on the Amherst Town Board  and who was appointed Deputy Town Supervisor in January (2020), says there are a number of issues that impact families and their children that need to be addressed, including the state of public education. 

“I’ve ‘helped accomplish much’ during my time serving (the Town of Amherst), ‘so why not go to a bigger stage?’  I’ve gotten ‘a lot of positive’ feedback (regarding her decision to run).  I’m ‘not seen as inexperienced, but obviously, I’ll learn the ropes’ (in Albany),” she said.  “We ‘need to take steps forward.’  Our hands ‘have been tied.’  SUNY, for example, ‘hasn’t gotten its fair share’ of state funding.  There are ‘a lot of messages that need to be carried forward, including fighting for our children and standing up for what’s right.’  Even though the Senate has ‘flipped’ Democratic, ‘a lot still needs to happen.’  ‘I believe we can do even more.’”

Berger believes her professional qualifications and her ability to get things done will be of great benefit to those who live and work across the 61st Senate District - which encompasses parts of Erie County (which totals half of the overall district), Monroe County (including a little piece of the City of Rochester), and Genesee County (which includes the City of Batavia).  District-wide, there are a little more than 201,000 voters, including 76,557 Registered Democrats, 66,934 Registered Republicans and 9,504 Independents. 

If elected, Berger says she will use her position in the Democratic Senate Majority to bring attention and needed state resources to the district, as well as work with local municipalities to assess their specific and individual needs.

During her tenure as an Amherst Town Board Member, Berger worked directly with New York State Representatives to secure funding for a number of projects throughout Amherst.

Recently, she aided efforts to secure $783,000 for the Sattler Dellwood Park Green Infrastructure and Storm Water Project.  Amherst will use the funds from this Green Innovation Grant Program to construct a bio-retention area, porous roller hockey rink and a porous parking lot.

In addition to the need for more resources in school districts, Berger has also focused in on needed improvements to aging infrastructure across the district as major platforms of her campaign.  And, to issues that impact those who make their living in the Agricultural Industry.

“A ‘big part’ of the district is rural ‘and much of it involves those in agriculture.’  In fact, Amherst has an Agricultural District.  We ‘need to do more for our Farmers and agriculture in general.’  There’s ‘been a lack of technology in their areas, including high-speed internet.’  ‘You wouldn’t believe how much those in the Agricultural Industry use it, but many cannot connect their devices out in the field,’” Berger said.

The Senate seat had been long-held by an entrenched Republican incumbent, who’s decided not to seek re-election.  The Senate District race has two other announced Democratic Candidates.

Berger recognizes the challenge, but is buoyed by the confidence she is receiving by those who are backing here (“They ‘believe we can win this,’” she says) and the fact there are a multitude of Teacher Unions and Members who believe in and will support one of their own.

“Each and every one of these communities has a school district and we will use our affiliations with NYSUT in those areas ‘to get our word out. ‘  And I will carry with me my ‘Union Values.’  I’m ‘real excited and looking forward to getting out’ (on the campaign trail).  ‘At this stage of my life, I thought the time was right to do this,’” she said.

For More, Go To: http://bergerforsenate.com/

And Read WNYLaborToday.com’s Labor News Story, Headlined: Meet UUP Member & WNY Labor Activist Jacqui Berger, ‘Yet Another’ Union Member Who’s Running For Public Office – Seeks Seat On Amherst Town Board This November At www.wnylabortoday.com/news/2017/08/15/buffalo-and-western-new-york-labor-news/meet-uup-member-wny-labor-activist-jacqui-berger-yet-another-union-member-who-s-running-for-public-office-seeks-seat-on-amherst-town-board-this-november/