The UFT Delegate Assembly on May 22 overwhelmingly voted to endorse Queens Borough President Melinda Katz in the Democratic primary for Queens district attorney scheduled for June 25.

Katz is a candidate in a heated seven-way race to replace the longtime district attorney, Richard A. Brown, who died on May 4 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Brown, who served in the role for 27 years, had previously announced he would resign on June 1.

Jeffrey Matte, the chapter leader at PS 12 in District 24, in motivating the resolution to endorse Katz, said she has been a strong ally and friend to UFT members in Queens.

“She has worked hard to make sure schools have had tech upgrades and to have trailers replaced with proper facilities,” Matte said. “She has fought to make sure schools that were under pressure to close and being given up on by the DOE stayed open. And she went to bat for us to make sure we had the proper leadership at Townsend Harris and Forest Hills high schools.”

At the same gathering, UFT delegates voted to endorse Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon for re-election in November.

— Joe LoVerde