This week, the California Labor Federation announced its June 2012 primary election endorsements for State Senate and Assembly, US Congress and statewide ballot measures at its annual Pre-Primary convention. Find out who Labor’s endorsing in your district.
Not a lot of people know how union endorsements happen, but it’s perhaps one of the most democratic processes left in the United States. Before every primary and general election, rank-and-file workers engage in the endorsement process in multiple ways, including town hall meetings and other gatherings. Workers, through their unions and central labor councils, engage in months of leg work to discern which candidates and ballot measures would protect the middle class. Unions carefully consider each candidate’s proposals for the future, and they invite every candidate to meet with workers directly, through round table discussions, candidate interviews and public forums.
The process culminates at the statewide Pre-Primary convention, which was held this week in Los Angeles. Representatives from hundreds of unions across the state gathered together to evaluate each candidate and ballot measure. Delegates have the opportunity to speak out on any race they have a strong opinion about, whether voicing their support or opposition. The final result is a truly democratic list of endorsements that Labor has united to stand behind in the coming election.
Yesterday’s convention kicked off California Labor’s grassroots election campaign, which relies heavily on volunteers mobilizing to reach voters by phone, through the mail, online and in-person about the importance of the upcoming elections to all workers.
Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski:
In a time of unprecedented challenges facing working people, this year’s elections are pivotal to the direction of our state. The core of our election program is the dedication and commitment of thousands of volunteers reaching millions of voters with vital information about candidates’ positions and measures impacting workers. In an era of Citizens United, labor’s grassroots program is more critical than ever to counterbalance the unlimited political spending and power of well-heeled corporate interests.
