For Immediate Release: Friday, July 28, 2017
Contact: Joe Farrell, Abby Finkenauer for Congress (319) 382-6671
Contact: Mazie Stilwell, AFSCME Council 61 (515) 210-9045
AFSCME COUNCIL 61 ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT OF ABBY FINKENAUER IN IOWA’S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Des Moines, IA – Tonight, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 61 endorsed Abby Finkenauer for Congress in Iowa’s First Congressional District. AFSCME Council 61 represents 40,000 public employees including law enforcement and correctional officers, firefighters, mental health workers, professional school staff, emergency responders, and many other workers.
"From growing up in a union household to becoming one of the fiercest defenders of workers’ rights on the State House floor, time and time again during legislative session Abby has had the backs of working families all across Iowa. Now more than ever we need a fighter with Abby's background, backbone, and experience taking on anti-worker GOP policies in Washington," said Danny Homan, President of AFSCME Council 61. “AFSCME Council 61 members know that Abby is the best choice for Iowa’s First District and we intend to do all we can to send her to Washington.”
AFSCME member Leo Gansen said, “It’s time we retire Rod Blum from Congress and send a proud union daughter to DC to fight for our values. Iowans have had enough of politicians selling our livelihoods down the river for Wall Street special interests. I was there when the AFSCME PEOPLE committee voted unanimously to endorse Abby because we need a Congresswoman who understands our lives, hasn't forgotten where she comes from, and will make our voices heard loud and clear in Washington, D.C."
The endorsement continued Finkenauer’s momentum, following endorsements from the Dubuque Building and Construction Trades, Plumbers and Pipefitters of East Central Iowa Local 125, and EMILY’s List, in addition to over 20 elected officials and activists.
“AFSCME has had the backs of working families across Iowa for generations, fighting hard to keep the American dream alive. As unions and working families have come under assault in our state and our country, I've proudly stood next to AFSCME members, who have been in the trenches fighting back. This is personal to me. My friends, family, and neighbors deserve respect for a hard day's work and I'm honored to earn the trust of AFSCME to take the voices of working men and women across Iowa to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. I intend to go to DC and continue to be a voice, not just a vote for working families: to speak up when unions are under attack, to fight for better wages and jobs, and stand up for workers who are mistreated by Wall Street-driven corporate CEOs."
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