Albuquerque Area Firefighters Union Endorses Eric Griego in Senate District 14 Race

Eric Griego today received the endorsement of the Albuquerque Area Firefighters Union IAFF Local 244 in his run for the State Senate in Albuquerque's District 14 in the Democratic Primary.

"This was an easy decision for us--Eric has a demonstrated ability to lead," said Diego Arencon, President of the Firefighters Union. "Eric has done more than be supportive; he's really been proactive on our behalf. When Eric was a City Councilor, he fought to get the resources firefighters need to do our jobs better."

"This is an important endorsement I'm proud to receive," said Griego. "Our firefighters are our first responders and everyday they work to make us safe."

The union pointed to Griego's strong record of standing with the firefighters, citing:

--As an Albuquerque City Councilor, Eric sponsored the Quarter Cent for Public Safety, which the voters passed. The initiative provided an ongoing revenue stream of nearly $10 million annually for equipment and new cadet classes. He led the initiative to pass the proposal and bring all of the unions together.

--Griego strongly opposed attempts in 2002 to lay-off hundreds of city employees, including civilian employees at AFD. The lay-offs were prevented through other budget-cutting measures.

--Griego supported and helped pass the minimum wage proposal for the Albuquerque area.

Griego has over two decades of practicing, teaching and studying public policy, including work at the local, state, national and international level. In addition to his prior elected office as an Albuquerque City Councilor, he has served as the Assistant Secretary of Economic Development for New Mexico. Today, he is the Executive Director of New Mexico Voices for Children, a non-profit policy, research and advocacy organization.

Last week Griego was endorsed by Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM).

Griego will face incumbent James Taylor and challenger Al Armijo in the Democratic Primary on June 3, 2008. More can be found about Eric Griego at his website www.ericgriegofornewmexico.com.

For more on this race, see Steve Terrell's recent article for the Santa Fe New Mexican. To read our previous coverage of 2008 NM Legislative races, visit our archive.