Eric Dinowitz, the scion of Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz and a special education teacher in the New York City public school system, received his first endorsement from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), representing rare public support in an election cycle that’s less than two years away.

Such an endorsement was also embroiled in an awkward rollout last year when the younger Dinowitz put the cart before the horse, telling supporters in May he was endorsed by the 200,000-plus strong union well before the union publicly supported him. Educators, school staff, classroom paraprofessionals, psychologists, and retirees make up the union. Dinowitz is among those members.

This time, a press release sent out on Feb. 18, UFT President Michael Mulgrew said Dinowitz, a Democrat running in the 11th Council District, “understands the needs of educators.”

Mulgrew added that the union stands “with Eric so that our schools, our children, and our members have a voice in the room.”

“This is an incredibly meaningful endorsement and I am honored to have the support of UFT as I run for City Council. Throughout my career as a special education teacher, UFT has stood up for students, educators, and our progressive values, advocating for better mental health services, improved resources for students with disabilities, and support so that our students and teachers thrive. Education will always be a priority for me as a City Council Member, public school teacher, and parent,” said Dinowitz.

Other candidates in the race include Community Board 8 leader and attorney Daniel Padernacht, resident Dionel Then, and climate activist and tech entrepreneur Rebecca Haller, who recently announced her candidacy.

So far, Dinowitz has raised the most money for the race, garnering $70,824 in campaign contributions, according to the latest filings. The UFT donated $2,800 to his campaign last year. Padernacht, another leading contender, raised less than half those funds so far, with $33,726.

Word of an endorsement goes back to May when it was revealed Dinowitz had posted on his campaign website that he had received backing from the UFT. That post was soon taken down after the Riverdale Press inquired about the announcement.

The race has gone from hot to cold in recent months after speculation surfaced that Councilman Andrew Cohen, the current legislator for the 11th Council District, was vying for a judgeship post in August last year. Those rumors soon fell flat after the Bronx Democratic Party’s Judicial Convention did not appoint him for a judgeship position, squashing his plans and the subsequent plans of his potential successors.

The primary is scheduled for June 2021.