ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state’s second-largest public-sector union endorsed Zephyr Teachout’s long-shot bid to oust Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday, while the state’s powerful teachers’ union announced it will sit out this year’s governor’s race.

The Public Employees Federation represents 54,000 state workers who mainly work in white-collar positions. Union President Susan Kent said the union was taking a “bold step” by backing Teachout and her running mate, lieutenant governor candidate Tim Wu.