By Luisdes Diaz and Zachary Gelnaw-Rubin

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union endorsed Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice today in her race for state attorney general.

“Kathleen is smart, she’s tough, and she’s progressive,” said union president Stuart Applebaum on the steps of City Hall.

Since taking office in 2005, Rice has charged and convicted 14 companies and seven persons in labor-related crimes, bringing $1.4 million in restitution to victims, supporters said.

She also took credit for forcing the Walmart chain to make safety changes in 92 stores and pay nearly $2 million to families of the so-called Black Friday stampede in 2008 when shoppers at the Valley Stream store broke down doors, causing the death of one employee and injuring many patrons.

“I have spent my entire career standing up for hardworking families and fighting for justice for workers and families,” Rice said. “When I’m elected attorney general, I will take this commitment to union families and to workplaces and communities across the state.”

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo is widely expect to run for governor though he has not officially announced his candidacy. Rice faces Democratic primary challenges from trial lawyer Sean Coffey and former State Superintendant of Insurance, Eric Dinallo.