AFL-CIO endorses 37 Democrats for May primary (Oregon for their commitments to "working families)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/03/31/daily18.html

Portland Business Journal

Oregon's AFL-CIO office has endorsed 37 candidates for their commitments to "working families."

Among its highest-profile endorsements, the group backs Rep. Jeff Merkley, D-Portland, for the U.S. Senate race over Steve Novick, and John Kroger over Rep. Greg MacPherson, D-Lake Oswego, in the Oregon Attorney General's race. State Sen. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, earned the group's endorsement for the Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore.

The labor advocate had earlier endorsed Sen. Ben Westlund, D-Bend, for the state treasurer's post.

The group leaned heavily toward incumbent Democrats in the state Senate and House races, backing Portland area representatives Mitch Greenlick, Mary Nolan, Dave Hunt, Chip Shields, Tina Kotek, Mike Schaufler and Ben Cannon. The group also endorsed State House candidates Jefferson Smith and Michael Dembrow.

In the state Senate primaries, the group backed local Senators Jackie Dingfelder, Mark Hass and Diane Rosenbaum.

"Each of these candidates has a record of advocacy for working families in Oregon," said Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain in a statement. "Their commitment to creating a more prosperous Oregon -- from the creation of more living-wage jobs to protecting pensions and making health care more accessible and affordable to everyone -- will have an enduring impact on our state, its workers and our economy."

The union represents members within the American Federation of Teachers, Oregon Nurses Association, Portland Police Association, International Association of Fire Fighters, Laborers' International Union of North America, Communications Workers of America, American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, and the AFL-CIO's non-union affiliate Working America.

Oregon AFL-CIO's members represent more than 188,000 families.