Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Thanks All Who Rose to the Challenge in Electing Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Endorsed Candidates in the Primary Election

Does Labors' Endorsement Matter? Apparently It Does!

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale and Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder congratulated Congressman Mark Critz on his primary election victory in a redrawn 12th Congressional District. They also expressed their deepest appreciation to the union activists and labor leaders who helped Congressman Critz prevail in a very difficult primary battle.

"Congressman Critz faced a difficult challenge in winning this election. In a redrawn district that favored Congressman Altmire, Congressman Critz entered the race as the underdog," Bloomingdale said.

"The Labor movement came together as one, led by Steelworkers, Mineworkers, SEIU, as well as dozens of our affiliated unions in working a strong member to member program helping Congressman Critz close the gap," Bloomingdale said. 

Do labor endorsements matter? "They do when working people are determined and motivated to elect leaders who they can trust to lead and represent their interests in Washington and Harrisburg," Snyder added. In yesterday's election, 86 percent of the candidates endorsed by the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO won.      

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO also congratulates card-carrying union member Ed Neilson, from IBEW Local 98, who was elected in yesterday's special election for the 169th District of the State House of Representatives. "Ed has been fighting for working families throughout his career and now he will be taking his fight to the General Assembly," Bloomingdale said.  

Yesterday's Primary Election is the first step in the process of electing  more pro-worker leaders to Washington and Harrisburg and in re-electing AFL-CIO endorsed President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in November.

"Today is a new day and a new beginning in building an even stronger, more effective mobilization and education program that gives working families the voice they need and deserve in our State and across the Nation," Bloomingdale said.   

SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO