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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 22, 2006
Contact: Giffords Campaign
520-512-0012

Labor Groups Back Giffords in CD-8 Race

TUCSON €“ Three prominent Arizona labor unions have endorsed the candidacy of former Sen. Gabrielle Giffords for U.S. Congress. Giffords, a Democrat running in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, was endorsed by the following organizations:

  • The Arizona State Association of Electrical Workers, a statewide coalition representing the Arizona locals of the International Brotherhood of Electrical workers.
  • The Arizona State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
  • The International Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

These groups have joined a growing coalition of progressive voters, environmentalists, business leaders and working families backing Sen. Giffords, who is also supported by hundreds of individual volunteers.

Melissa Campbell, President of the Arizona State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said Giffords’ knowledge of defense issues, and her support for working families and a higher minimum wage were critical factors in determining the endorsement. “It’s important to change the direction of the U.S. Congress, and Sen. Giffords is the right woman for the job,” Campbell said.

Robert Svob, Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ Arizona State Legislative Board, said his group is endorsing Sen. Giffords because of her commitment to worker safety, better wages and improving Arizona’s transportation infrastructure. “Giffords’ experience as a State Representative and State Senator in Arizona has given her the knowledge and skills to immediately start representing the hardworking citizens of CD-08 with vigor and intelligence when she goes to the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Svob.

“I’m deeply gratified to win this support from organized labor,” Sen. Giffords said. “Middle class families are being squeezed in this economy, and labor unions help men and women bring home decent pay to support their families. Southern Arizona needs a member of Congress who can work with business and labor groups to improve the number of good jobs for our citizens. I plan to work as hard as I can to be that type of coalition-builder.”

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