AFSCME is screening candidates for endorsement in CD 3 and CD 6 today.
We’ve noted the political power of AFSCME in Minnesota before - its especially strong in endorsement battles because AFSCME members show up and they vote their union.
In CD 3, the AFSCME endorsement will be HUGE. Terri Bonoff won their support in her State Senate campaigns, but her vote against the tax bill during the 2007 session angered some inside the union and it is not inconceivable that they would go another direction. Meanwhile, Jim Hovland and Ashwin Madia, both outsider candidates with little ties to the traditional party apparatus, would benefit immensely from an AFSCME endorsement. It seems like everyone is cautiously optimistic about this endorsement, and there hasn’t been a clear sign from inside the union. It could go in any direction. If Bonoff wins the endorsement, it will be an affirmation of her frontrunner status and would advance the conventional wisdom that she is the heavy favorite for the endorsement. If, however, AFSCME endorses Hovland or Madia, it could blow this race wide open.
In CD 6, an AFSCME endorsement of El Tinklenberg would be a major get for his campaign because it would shore up his (vulnerable) left flank. AFSCME endorsed Patty Wetterling over El in 2006, so it definitely isn’t in the bag for him this time around. That being said, AFSCME has displayed a tendency to sign on with the candidate they think is a winner (this dynamic might also be at play in CD 3) so El has a fighting chance.
AFSCME is expected to endorse shortly after the screening, I’m not sure if that means we’ll know tonight or tomorrow. But we’ll obviously post as soon as we hear anything.
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I bet Terri will probably get the endorsement because shes the leader of the pack. I admit that I haven’t followed the union tax issue to much.
Its great that we are looking at the issues and the candidates rather then all of the personal attacks we have heard from the republicans lately.
I don’t know. Labor endorsed Bonoff the last time and what did that get us? A vote against the tax bill.
It may be time for AFSCME to look in a different direction. I hope they give the other guys in the race a fair shake.
I hope El gets the endorsement. We need a strong candidate to beat Bachmann.
Predication: Bonoff will win the AFSCME endorsment.
Are you sure I was certain this year AFSCME would endorse a Republican.
Gee, a govenment union backing a political party that stands for growing government, Wow I did not see this one coming.
Government unions should be banned and not allowed! Talk about conflict of interest
Umm - let me go out on a limb here - AFSCME will endorse Bonoff and Tinklenberg
I actually think that AFSCME will NOT endorse Terri. She really pissed them off with her vote against the tax bill.
Although, I could be wrong: sometimes endorsements overlook the bills the candidate voted for/authored (ahem, Emily’s List)…
I think the DFL is taking a big risk with Terri. If the goal is really to win the district blue, we need to look elsewhere. She will get destroyed by Paulsen…
Wow, Big K, you really love those smileys! I can see how they add a lot to your points… ;)
AFSCME is the most radical of the labor unions, besides the teachers, and the least educated, therefore, not exactly up on politics,but the sheeplke will vote for whoever they are told to
Matt not only that but because liberals by nature are angry and upset all the time, I try to do my part and cheer them up with my smiley faces.
I notice it got your attention.
God bless the troops, and forgive the democRats. :)