Former Congressman Rick Nolan emerged as the big winner in the 8th Congressional District DFL straw poll last Tuesday and continued his momentum this week, today winning the endorsement of Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE.
Joint Council 32, which represents over 62,000 current and retired Teamsters in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, will make a formal announcement endorsing Nolan at noon on Thursday in the Teamsters Hall in Duluth.
The importance of the DRIVE endorsement cannot be overstated. Fiercely independent in their endorsements, the Teamsters do not automatically endorse DFLers. Indeed, it is a tough bi-partisan endorsement for candidates to win because they must first convince leadership that they will best represent the diverse members of the union. Additionally, it is an endorsement with a lot of punch behind it in the form of money, volunteers and a highly effective member communications program. The Teamsters, who were the first to endorse both Barack Obama and Mark Dayton, have a record of endorsing candidates early and working hard to help those candidates go on to win general elections. Rick Nolan can now expect that same strong support in his campaign to liberate the Fighting 8th from the clutches of Chip Cravaack and his union busting right wing extremist allies.
Nolan issued the following statement after receiving news of this game-changing endorsement from one of the largest and strongest trade unions in the country:
The Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE endorsement is one of the most powerful, prestigious and effective expressions of support by Labor anywhere Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. The Teamsters are known for their political independence, for their tough screenings, and for repeatedly picking and supporting winning candidates with extraordinary grassroots efforts.
So I could not be more honored to receive the JC 32 DRIVE endorsement for Congress here in the 8th District - where Teamster public employees, Teamster construction workers, Teamster drivers and Teamster workers of all stripes have been fighting for fair wages and benefits, and for economic justice for working families, for more than a century.
I worked my way through college as a Teamster at UPS. This is my union. And my commitment to them, and to all working families, is to return to Washington and lead the fight for the Employee Free Choice Act, for pension protection, for single payer universal health care, and for an end to the right wing war on workers that includes 'right to work for less.'
Our momentum continues, and I look forward to campaigning shoulder to shoulder with my Teamster Brothers and Sisters in the weeks and months ahead. Together, we will defeat Chip Cravaack and the Tea Party and return the Fighting 8th District to the working families who need to matter again in Washington.
Rick Nolan's decisive victory in last week's 8th District DFL straw poll placed the former congressman firmly in the lead for the party's endorsement and the Teamsters obviously agree with 8th district party activists that Cuyuna Range native Nolan is indeed the one DFLer who can defeat Tea Party Chip Cravaack in November. Teamsters pride themselves on being the union that supports those who support them. An early and strong endorsement for one of their own, a reliable champion of organized labor with a proven record of winning congressional elections, is certain to make a significant impact in the race and propel an already surging Nolan campaign closer to the finish line.
Nolan previously won the endorsement of United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 1189 and the personal endorsements of several northern Minnesota labor leaders including Iron Range Labor Assembly President Tom Cvar, Duluth Central Labor Body President Dan O'Neill, Carlton County Labor Body President Mike Kuiti and Northeast Area Labor Council President Al Netland.
