OGDENSBURG -- Mayor Bill Nelson has been endorsed by the area union locals of CSEA, PEF, and Central Trades.

CSEA Local 845, PEF Region 7 and Central Trades are endorsing Nelson’s bid for re-election against a challenge from Lake Street resident Jack McGrath.

The endorsement announcement said “These endorsements are a testament to his commitment to the community and to those that live and work here.”

Civil Service Employees Association St. Lawrence County Local 845 reportedly voted unanimously to endorse Nelson. CSEA is the state’s largest public employees union.

Amy Simmons is president of the CSEA Local 845, which represents 1,200 members locally.

“The mayor has a proven record of supporting the people who work to move our city forward,” Simmons said.

PEF is New York State’s second largest public employees union. Robert Brabant is the Statewide Political Action Committee Chair for PEF’s Region 7 West, which covers Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence counties.

“Mayor Bill Nelson is a big part of the reason we’ve still got our prisons,” Brabant said. “287 jobs were saved from the chopping block when they tried to close Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, and Bill was a strong leader in a tough time.”

Ronald P. McDougall is President of the St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis County Central Trades of the AFL-CIO Central Trades and Labor Council.

“We are proud to endorse Bill Nelson,” said McDougall. “Our mayor has worked hard to bring jobs to Ogdensburg and worked hard to preserve jobs at OCF.”

“He’s a leader who understands how critical it is to keep people working in our community.” He said.

Nelson is running on the Republican and Conservative Party ballot lines.

McGrath is on the Revitalize our City ballot line.