While the 2010 mid-term elections are nine months away, SEIU members are busy building a foundation for electing pro-worker candidates this November.
Today, Jon Youngdahl, SEIU's Political Director, issued the following memo to political reporters covering the 2010 mid-term elections that highlight our most recent work and endorsements.
March 4, 2010
TO: Political Reporters
FROM: Jon Youngdahl, SEIU Political Director
RE: Recent SEIU Endorsements and Election Results
The hardworking men and women of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have been fully involved in the early stages of the 2010 election cycle. Here are a few recent items you may have missed:
Endorsements
• California: Former Speaker of the California State Assembly Karen Bass won an early endorsement from SEIU in her bid to replace retiring Congresswoman Diane Watson in California's 33rd Congressional District. SEIU represents county, state and higher education employees, janitors, hospital and homecare workers in the district.
• Colorado: The more than 6,000 healthcare workers, janitors, security officers, property service workers and other hardworking members of SEIU Local 105 united in endorsing Senator Michael Bennet's reelection campaign.
• Illinois: SEIU members in Illinois endorsed Dan Seals in the open race for the 10th Congressional District seat currently held by retiring Congressman Mark Kirk. SEIU represents county, hospital and building services workers in the district.
Elections
• Florida: State employees and hospital workers celebrated the victory of SEIU-endorsed candidate Ted Deutch, who won the Democratic primary for the seat vacated by Robert Wexler in the 19th Congressional District.
• Illinois: More than 650 SEIU members and staff hit the streets on Election Day, February 2nd, despite the cold and snow. Primary winners endorsed by the SEIU Illinois State Council included Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias and Cook County Board President candidate Toni Preckwinkle.
• Louisiana: New Orleans city workers, who are represented by SEIU, celebrated the victory of SEIU-endorsed candidate Mitch Landrieu in the New Orleans Mayoral race on Saturday February 6th. SEIU and Local 21LA ran an independent expenditure get out the vote program that included a door-to-door canvass, several direct mail pieces, door-hangers and live persuasion and GOTV phone calls.
• Oregon: Public service and healthcare workers played a central role in the coalition effort that passed ballot measures 66 and 67 with large majorities. The vote sent a clear message that voters are tired of budget cuts coming on the backs of Middle Class families, our schools and the public services we depend on.
