The Segal for Congress campaign announced today that it received three major endorsements: AFSCME Council 94; the SEIU Rhode Island State Council; and the national Democracy for America endorsement. As the focus of the campaign turns to jobs, labor and progressive organizations are lining up behind Segal as the best candidate for Congress.
Read our campaign's statement below the fold.
And if you're in DC, please join us on Thursday for a fundraiser hosted by Raul Grijalva, Dean Baker, Mike Lux, and a bevy of progressive all-stars. It's at Local 16, 1602 U Street, from 5:30-7:30. We're asking for $50 or more, but folks should feel free to come by and pay whatever they can -- or donate online.
With four weeks to primary day, David Segal’s Congressional Campaign in Rhode Island’s First District continues to surge. His campaign announced three major endorsements: the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 94; the Service Employees International Union Rhode Island State Council; and Democracy for America, a national Democratic organization with over a million members nationwide. In total these groups have membership within the state of more than 20,000.
Rachel Miller, Segal’s campaign manager, explained the significance of the endorsements and momentum as voters are starting to take a hard look at the candidates. "The more people are paying attention the more they’re turning away from the front runner and coming on board, because David Segal is the one who has honestly fought for local families, and people are tired of the same old politics where people will say anything to get elected. David Segal is the real thing."
"Council 94’s Political Action Steering Committee voted unanimously to endorse David Segal. We believe David has the right combination of passion and experience to best serve the needs of all Rhode Islanders," said Michael Downey, President of AFSCME Council 94. "No other candidate had a record to match David’s efforts on the behalf of working families. We know that he will work hard every day for the constituents in Congressional District 1."
"It’s easy to make claims during an election year," said Stan Israel, President of the SEIU Rhode Island State Council. "But we know first-hand that Rhode Islanders are ready to reject politics as usual and stand with the candidate who has honestly stood with Rhode Island’s working families. We’re proud to stand with David Segal because he has fought every day for ordinary Rhode Islanders."
Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America announced their support as well, helping propel Segal’s candidacy in front of a national audience. "I'm honored to announce Democracy for America's endorsement of a progressive champion who will move us forward -- Rhode Island's David Segal," he said. "David is an activist at heart -- working closely with his colleagues to craft progressive legislation and pass it into law. His experience and record speaks for itself."
"I am proud to have the support of thousands of working people in the First District," said David Segal. "The coalition we are building together is the same coalition that has spent years fighting for good, living wage jobs for Rhode Islanders, and standing up to the powerful corporate interests that have too much control over our government. Our grassroots effort is building tremendous momentum towards a victory on September 14."
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AFSCME Council 94 is one of the largest unions in Rhode Island representing over 10,000 active and retired municipal, state, and private sector employees. A small sample of the jobs that their diverse membership does include: data entry operators, cook’s helpers, capitol police, food inspectors, biologists, housekeepers, field auditors, sheriffs, airport crash rescue, eligibility technicians, and certified nursing assistants.
The Service Employees International Union Rhode Island State Council represents 6,000 people in both the public and private sector across a broad sector of the Rhode Island workforce including health care workers, janitors, social workers and service workers.
Democracy for America, the people-powered PAC, has 5,500 Rhode Island members and over one million members nationwide.
David Segal has also been endorsed by the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals; the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199 - SEIU; Progressive Democrats of America; Progressive Change Campaign Committee; USAction Fund for a True Majority; and Blue America PAC.