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With less than a month to go before the Democratic primary, the teachers union is establishing itself as a major campaign donor in the upcoming city races.

As of August 10, candidates in the November election have received some $79,000 from the United Federation of Teachers’ committee on public education, according to the latest reports to the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

The UFT doled out slightly less than some of the city’s other powerful unions, such as the Service Employees International Union, which has given more than $90,000 and the International Union of Operating Engineers, which has contributed over $80,000. But it’s substantially more than unions like D.C. 37 and the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, both of which have members working in the city’s schools.

A union official said more money is yet to come. But the union’s biggest power will likely be its endorsements — the most important of which have yet to go out.

The official said it’s still possible that the UFT will endorse a candidate for mayor.

“There’s a distinct possibility that we will [make more endorsements]. We’ve got no time frame right now. We’re still assessing everything,” the official said.

A UFT endorsement means not only money but manpower in helping get out the vote, a major boon in an election year where the biggest ticket contest is a lackluster mayor’s race. (more…)