FLUSHING – The Michigan AFL-CIO formally endorsed Gretchen Whitmer for governor today at a press conference held at UA Local 370’s training center near Flint. The state labor federation represents 42 unions and over one million active and retired union members across Michigan.
“Working people in Michigan need a governor who will be in our corner,” said Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “That’s why we’re endorsing Gretchen, because she’s a strong progressive leader who’s always had the backs of working families, and she’s the only candidate in this race with a real plan to fix the damn roads and create more good-paying jobs for Michigan. Our members are ready to roll up their sleeves, knock on doors, make phone calls, and get out the vote to help elect Gretchen as our next governor.”
As a progressive leader in the Michigan Legislature, Whitmer helped pass the Healthy Michigan law to expand Medicaid and cover 680,000 more Michiganders, including children, seniors, low-income and working-class families. Whitmer also led the fight against Governor Rick Snyder’s cuts to education and attacks on workers’ rights.
“Working people are the backbone of Michigan, and that’s why I’m so proud to have the support of so many hardworking union members in this race,” said Whitmer. “Michiganders have been working harder and harder, but working people aren’t getting any more money in their pockets. When I’m governor, we’re going to make smart investments to fix the roads, expand access to quality, affordable health care, and create jobs so that every hardworking Michigander gets a paycheck that can actually support a family.”
The Michigan AFL-CIO’s endorsement was approved by a unanimous vote of the executive council following an extensive candidate screening process, which included three town hall forums in Warren, Detroit, and Saginaw, featuring all four Democratic candidates for governor.
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