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Thursday, April 21, 2011
(Updated) AFSCME Endorses Congressman Martin Heinrich for U.S. Senate
Rep. Heinrich at press conference discussing his candidacy
Update: This afternoon, Rep. Heinrich's campaign released this statement by him in response to AFSCME's endorsement:
“It is a privilege to receive the support of the men and women of AFSCME. For generations, AFSCME has embodied the American values of hard work and commitment to public service. From the nurse in Espanola to the police officer in Las Cruces to the janitor in Silver City, the men and women of AFSCME are the kind of people who work hard every day to provide for their families and who make New Mexico great. I am truly grateful for their endorsement, and will continue to advocate for the rights of all workers -- especially during these difficult economic times.”
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Today the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) announced its support for Congressman Martin Heinrich’s bid for the Democratic nomination for United States Senate. New Mexico members on AFSCME’s political committee, PEOPLE, voted unanimously to recommend a national endorsement of the Congressman.
“Our members are middle class, hard-working New Mexicans. Martin is one of us, and he has gone to bat for regular working people both here in New Mexico and across the country,” said AFSCME’s New Mexico PEOPLE Chair Patty French. “That’s why,” French added, “our members on our political committee voted unanimously to do everything we can to ensure that Martin wins the Democratic nomination for Senate”.
Nationally, AFSCME is the largest union in the AFL-CIO, and is one of the two largest unions in New Mexico, representing a broad range of workers including corrections officers, janitors, police officers, nurses, water utility workers, and dozens of other jobs that are crucial to the everyday running of our state and its cities.
Juvenile Corrections Officer Paula Fisher noted, “we have a lot of public safety members, and we need advocates for public safety like Martin. All New Mexicans benefit from safe streets and good public safety, and Martin has fought to ensure we have the resources in New Mexico to keep us safe.”
Fire Inspector Paul Linville enthusiastically explained the PEOPLE Committee’s unanimous decision: “We need good jobs, and Congressman Heinrich has shown strong support for workers and economic development. Washington feels rigged against regular working people, but as long as we have Martin there fighting for us, we feel like we have a chance.”
Last week, Rep. Heinrich's Senate campaign received its first endorsement, from the New Mexico International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Congressman announced his formal entry into the race on April 2nd, via Facebook and an online video, followed by a press conference outside the National Hispanic Cultural Center where he had introduced civil rights and labor legend Dolores Huerta at this year's Cesar Chavez Day festivities.
Photo by M.E. Broderick.
April 21, 2011 at 12:41 PM in 2012 NM Senate Race, Labor, Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM-01) | Permalink
Comments
Two big unions including this national union have come out early for Heinrich. He is building momentum that will be hard to stop and I hope that other Democrats thinking of challenging him will think hard about this. We need unity in this election not divisiveness. Some of the comments being made on blogs and around town by supporters of a possible Dem challenger are already pushing a nasty ethnic angle. We had enough of this during the governors race.
Posted by: riopuerco | Apr 21, 2011 12:57:43 PM
Hector Balderas has told many people he will enter this race. He hasn't said so officially yet but it's a done deal. It's a big leap from auditor to Senate and I wish he would run for Heinrich's House seat instead. All he'd have to do is move to Albuquerque.
Posted by: Miguel | Apr 21, 2011 1:12:56 PM
I wish one of them or both of them would run for president on the D side!
Posted by: Sean | Apr 21, 2011 5:42:52 PM
I don't pay my AFSCME dues so a few board members can due whatever they want with it, the board should have at least asked its members what its members want not just decide without us. Myself & all my colleagues who are members do not like or support Heinrich at all, just the opposite. Despite our board decision we strongly affirm our members support will go to Auditor Balderas who is hardworking like us and works sincerely hard for New Mexicans everyday, protects New Mexicans hard earned tax dollars, not just another stuff necked snot like Heinrich. Our support and votes will still go to Balderas despite any amounts of our hard earned union dues being used for someone we don't even want, and that for sure is unanimous.
Posted by: AFSCMEmembersforBalderas | Apr 22, 2011 11:52:00 AM
If the endorsement had gone to Balderas the guy above would be singing a different tune. Sour grapes.
Posted by: Psst | Apr 22, 2011 12:34:40 PM
AFSCME please don't waste our hard earned union dues because its the tremendous statewide support thats calling for and flowing heavily through the veins of New Mexico for Mr. Balderas. I as well am familiar with the blogs you speak of and see nothing wrong with your dem opponent being of a hispanic ethnicity, its about the individual and what he has done and his superior work record is the proof we need to know he will continue to do great things for the state of New Mexico. We love big leapers especially when it is the admirable Honest Auditor Balderas making the leap! That's another reason we know we can count on Hector Balderas to make us proud as our Senator because if i'm not mistaken during his auditor race some people said he cant do it, he's more than proven otherwise and been the best State Auditor New Mexico has ever had! AFSCME members and citizens of NM for Balderas, who is hardworking like us! and also knows first hand what it is like to struggle remain strong through it and keep working hard.
Posted by: Still strong.. | Apr 22, 2011 1:01:46 PM
