NY Police Union Endorses Kathy Hochul for Reelection
The Police Benevolent Association of New York State cited pension gains and increased public safety funding as primary reasons.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Live Poll
Do you trust political endorsements made by police unions?
The Police Benevolent Association of New York State has officially endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul for reelection. The union, which represents approximately 1,200 members, highlighted key legislative and administrative successes during the governor's current term.
Why it matters
The endorsement centers on the union's success in securing pension legislation for members in Tier 5 and Tier 6 alongside support for increased police staffing. These factors reflect the administration's efforts to bolster law enforcement resources across the state.
The union represents 1,200 members across four state law enforcement groups, securing a 20-year pension plan for Tier 5 and Tier 6 employees. Official reports also cite a 10% decrease in index crimes and a 60% decline in shooting-related deaths statewide.
The players
Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul is the Governor of New York who recently received a reelection endorsement from the Police Benevolent Association of New York State.
Police Benevolent Association of New York State
The Police Benevolent Association of New York State is a labor union established in 2011 that serves as the exclusive bargaining agent for state law enforcement groups.
The details
The union, which acts as the exclusive bargaining agent for State University Police, State Park Police, Environmental Conservation Police, and Forest Rangers, credited the administration with authorizing police academy classes to improve staffing. Additionally, the association pointed to nearly $4 billion in public-safety investments as a major factor in their support.
Timeline
The Police Benevolent Association of New York State was established in 2011.
The union announced its endorsement of Governor Kathy Hochul on October 24, 2026.
Legal Context
The endorsement follows the union's successful legislative push to modify New York's Tier 5 and Tier 6 pension system for its members. This development signals a trend of labor unions aligning with political leaders who directly facilitate improvements to long-term public service benefits.
Residents may see a continued focus on police staffing levels and public safety initiatives as the administration continues to authorize academy classes. These policy choices impact the deployment of state resources across parks, university campuses, and environmental conservation areas.
The takeaway
The endorsement highlights the weight public-safety organizations place on specific legislative wins like pension reform when evaluating political candidates. Voters interested in state law enforcement policy should monitor how these pension and staffing commitments influence future budget negotiations.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Law Enforcement across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fingerlakes1.
Live Poll
Do you trust political endorsements made by police unions?
