Corey Johnson (Photo: Facebook)

Corey Johnson, a young West Side community board chairman, isn't slowing down in his quest to replace term-limited Council Speaker Christine Quinn in 2013. To wit, Mr. Johnson, who already rolled out a list of 500 neighborhood leaders supporting his candidacy and maxed out his fundraising, added two notable union endorsements this morning: RWDSU and UFCW 1500.

“RWDSU proudly endorses Corey Johnson in his race for City Council,” Ademola Oyefeso, the retail workers union's political director, said in a statement, citing Mr. Johnson's support for progressive legislation. “Under his leadership, Manhattan Community Board 4 was the first in the entire City to come out in favor of a living wage bill. He will be a steadfast ally for working families on the Council."

For its part, the UFCW cited Mr. Johnson's opposition to Walmart entering the five boroughs, a staple issue for both labor organizations as the non-unionized mega-retailer could deplete their membership.

“Corey has stood up with us in the fight to keep Wal-Mart out of New York, and we know he will be a strong advocate for working people on the New York City Council,” Patrick Purcell, Assistant to the President of UFCW Local 1500, contended. “Corey will be a great partner on the New York City Council in fighting for an expansion of supermarkets with good paying jobs in communities that are in need of greater access to high quality food. We know he will stand up on behalf of those without a voice.”

Only one other candidate seems to have his or her hat in the ring at the moment: attorney Yetta Kurland. Ms. Kurland, who also hosts a political radio show that's relatively popular among left-leaning voters in the city, ran against Ms. Quinn in 2009 and performed solidly despite the incumbent's political stature.

Though the 2012 elections are still a month away, the 2013 races in New York City seem fully underway.