AFL-CIO Federations in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Idaho Roll Out Endorsements for Congress

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/03/20/afl-cio-federations-in-kentucky-oklahoma-idaho-roll-out-endorsements-for-congress/

by Seth Michaels, Mar 20, 2008

The fight for a pro-working family government doesn’t end with the race for the White House. Around the country, union members in key states, including Kentucky, Oklahoma and Idaho, are looking to elect new members of Congress who will help turn around America.

The Kentucky State AFL-CIO has announced endorsements in key races for U.S. Congress.

Bill Londrigan, president of the state federation, says these candidates, and the issues they’ll fight for, will help mobilize union members to win this fall.



We endorsed on the basis of their of support for the issues of critical importance to Kentucky’s hardworking men and women: good jobs, the right to organize, health care for all, retirement security and education and training opportunities.

Topping the list of Kentucky endorsees is Bruce Lunsford, who is running for U.S. Senate against Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader who’s led the fight against working family-friendly policies like a real economic stimulus bill and children’s health insurance.

McConnell is behind the strategy of obstruction that has allowed a minority of senators to block important legislation like the Employee Free Choice Act. He consistently has voted for Bush nominees for key federal agencies, including the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA) and the Department of Labor (headed by his wife, Elaine Chao). In short, McConnell is the Senate’s key enabler of the anti-worker agenda. Lunsford has pledged to support the Employee Free Choice Act and to work with union members as they fight to “Ditch Mitch.”

In addition to supporting Lunsford, Kentucky unions gave their strong endorsement to two incumbent House members and a challenger. Endorsements went to Democratic Reps. John Yarmuth of the 3rd District and Ben Chandler of the 6th District, as well as to Democratic State Sen. David Boswell, who’s running for the 2nd District seat left open by retiring Republican Ron Lewis.

Union members in Kentucky were crucial in the stunning 18-point victory for Gov. Steve Beshear last November, and the Kentucky AFL-CIO is looking to build on its success with these endorsements for the U.S. House and Senate. In addition to working to elect Lunsford and Boswell and re-elect Chandler and Yarmuth, Londrigan says the state AFL-CIO will focus on exposing the record of Sen. John McCain.

FULL story at link.