Thompson Wins Endorsement From City School Principals Union

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The union representing New York City school principals is backing former city comptroller Bill Thompson for mayor.

President Ernest Logan of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators said Tuesday that the union's 16,000 members will do all they can to elect Thompson.

"As we contemplate the sizable and strong field of candidates vying to become NYC mayor, one of the most powerful positions in the U.S., CSA must decide which of several fine individuals will restore the power and influence of NYC's middle class, its very bedrock. When it comes to quality of life and upward mobility, our solidly middle class members have been losing ground. Worse, most of the children they serve have been slipping further below the poverty line," Logan said in a statement announcing the group's endorsement.

Logan added the union deliberated over which candidate to endorse for six months and said Thompson offered strong answers on a host of issues, including jobs and housing.

The United Federation of Teachers is expected to make its endorsement on Wednesday.

Both unions have clashed with Mayor Michael Bloomberg over issues including school closings and teacher and principal evaluations.

Bloomberg said Monday that the UFT endorsement would be "almost the kiss of death.''

Thompson, a Democrat, is the former president of the Board of Education.

Neither the teachers' union nor the principals' union made an endorsement in the 2009 mayoral race.

In 2005, the principals' union endorsed the losing Democratic candidate, Fernando Ferrer.

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