Do Endorsements Affect Your Votes?

Republican candidate for Assembly Deborah McKee announced last week that just like Congressional candidate Randy Altschuler, she was endorsed by the county's largest independent union, the Association of Municipal Employees. Meanwhile, the state's AFL-CIO has opted to endorse her opponent, incumbent Democrat Steve Englebright.

So far McKee lays claim to the following endorsements: Suffolk AME, Suffolk County 9-12, State Sen. Ken Lavalle, State Assemblyman Dean Murray, Suffolk Legis. Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Republicans, Suffolk County Conservatives and Suffolk County Republican Woman.

The following organizations have endorsed Englebright: NYS AFL-CIO, Public Employees Federation, Communication Workers of America 1108, New York State Nurses Association, RWDSU/UFCW Local 338, The Sierra Club, NYS League of Conservation Voters, LI Environmental Voters Forum, The League of Humane Voters of New York, Empire State Pride Agenda, NARAL-Pro Choice New York, and Planned Parenthood.

Englebright is seeking an 11th term representing the Fourth Assembly District. In 2010, he won the race with about 56 percent of the vote.

Are you a member of any of the groups mentioned? If so, do you typically end up voting for the candidate your group has endorsed? Do you ignore endorsements, or do support (or non-support) of particular groups at least make you think twice? Let us know in the comments.