Florida AFL-CIO backs Castor, Deutsch in U.S. Senate race

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Jun. 27, 2004

Florida AFL-CIO backs Castor, Deutsch in U.S. Senate race

MIKE SCHNEIDER

Associated Press


ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida AFL-CIO on Sunday endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Betty Castor and Peter Deutsch in a compromise decision that snubbed Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas.

Neither Castor nor Deutsch, a six-term U.S. representative from Broward County, won the two-thirds vote needed to get a solo endorsement from the federation of unions, but both agreed to the joint endorsement, said Cindy Hall, president of the labor group representing 500,000 workers statewide.

"Our union members will be out working for these two candidates and will not be working for Alex Penelas," Hall said.

Each of the three Democratic candidates made presentations to Florida AFL-CIO leaders during the group's convention in Orlando this weekend. Republican candidates were invited but none attended. The candidates are running to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla.

"This is a very significant endorsement," Deutsch said at a news conference held by the Florida AFL-CIO. "It's a really big deal."
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