U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, who is running to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, picked up endorsements Thursday from 14 major labor unions that represent over 100,000 Michigan workers.
One of those endorsements came from Operating Engineers Local 324, which has its training center at 275 Highland Road in Howell.
“Since her first race and election, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin has been one of the greatest allies working families in Michigan have representing them in Washington. She listens, leads by example, and works tirelessly to get the job done. That’s why we support Elissa for the U.S. Senate,” said Douglas Stockwell of Operating Engineers Local 324. “Michigan’s workers will continue to have a champion in D.C. with Elissa Slotkin as our Senator.”
The list of endorsements represents a broad coalition of unions, from building and trades to service workers and first responders. In Congress, Slotkin has voted repeatedly to protect union pensions and to raise the minimum wage. Slotkin was also part of the bipartisan group of lawmakers that crafted the initial framework for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is already creating thousands of union, prevailing wage jobs across Michigan as we rebuild our infrastructure.
Slotkin has also received the support of groups including End Citizens United / Let America Vote, EMILY’s List, VoteVets, and Foreign Policy for America. Earlier this month, she was endorsed by more than 50 community leaders in mid-Michigan including state legislators, mayors, labor activists, and faith leaders.
The full list of unions endorsing Slotkin includes:
• Michigan Building Trades Council
• Michigan Pipe Trades Association
• Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA)
• Operating Engineers Local 324
• Michigan State Conference of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
• Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union
• Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA)
• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
• International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
• Amalgamated Transit Union
• Michigan Machinists Council
• Iron Workers Local 25
• United Steelworkers District 1
The front-runner for the Democratic nomination for the seat has been Slotkin, who represents Livingston County as part of the 7th District in Washington, D.C., and has already raised over $3 million. State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh threw her hat into the ring for the nomination earlier this week, joining Dearborn businessman Nasser Bedouin. It’s speculated that actor Hill Harper may also get into the Democratic primary soon.
