| The DFL front runner in the 8th congressional district race, former Congressman Rick Nolan, added to his broad based coalition of support this week with a resounding endorsement from one of the biggest and most powerful unions in Minnesota.
The Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE Commission unanimously voted to endorse Nolan in his bid for 8th district congress and was immediately affirmed by the Joint Council 32 Executive Board. For any union to unanimously endorse a candidate in a closely contested race is significant; for a union as independent and diverse as the Teamsters to do so is particularly impressive.
While the strength of the Teamsters union lies in the wide diversity of its members, it is also that diversity that often makes agreeing on a candidate a challenge. The name of its political action committee, Democrat Republican Independent Voter Education (DRIVE) reflects the broad political views of a membership that encompasses a wide range of occupations, professional and non-professional, private sector as well as public sector.
When airline pilots agree with drivers and zookeepers agree with pressmen, that is significant. When democrats, independents and republicans agree with each other, that is also significant. But when they all come together to enthusiastically support one candidate very early in a hotly contested congressional race, that makes a truly powerful statement sure to resonate throughout all of organized labor.
Former Congressman Nolan's strong labor record clearly played a role in winning the unanimous approval of the independent union powerhouse known for its tough political screenings. Teamsters Joint Council 32 President Sue Mauren:
Rick Nolan best represents the views of working families as a former Teamster member and strong businessman. We believe he will take those values with him to Washington D.C. and work hard to create jobs in this region that are desperately needed.
Patrick Radzak, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 32 and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 346 in Duluth, added that the 65,000 member union is committed to putting the 8th district congressional seat back into the hands of working families:
We are proud to stand side by side with our Union brother and ask our members to turn out and support Rick. We cannot stand idly by and allow the current member of congress to put failed policies in front of working families values.
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 - defeating Tea Party Chip Cravaack and his union busting friends in November.
Teamsters Joint Council 32 will formally announce the endorsement at a noon press conference on Thursday at the Teamsters Local 346 office in Duluth |
