Yesterday, a major environmental group endorsed John Edwards (John Edwards Endorsed by Friends of the Earth Action). Today, the unions are coming out for John Edwards.
(DES MOINES, Iowa) — Democrat John Edwards has received the endorsement of the Iowa State Council of the Service Employees International Union, and announcements of support from other state councils were promised to follow Monday, a campaign official said.
Time
More after the fold.
Yesterday:
Friends of the Earth Action (FOE Action), one of the longest-standing, national environmental organizations in the country, today announced its endorsement of Senator John Edwards for President, citing his leadership on real solutions to combat global warming and his unequivocal position against dangerous and expensive nuclear power.
snip
"John Edwards will bring dramatic, positive change and improvement to our nation's environmental policies. Most importantly, he will bring leadership in the preeminent environmental issue of our time -- the global warming crisis. John Edwards has set the pace among presidential candidates on global warming, and among the leading Democratic candidates, he has the best, most comprehensive global warming program."
Friends of the Earth Action
Today:
[A senior campaign official] told The Associated Press that a "number of other state councils" of the SEIU will announce their support for the former North Carolina senator at an event in Iowa City on Monday evening, but he wouldn't confirm how many.
Time
These other state councils will be able to organize efforts to turn out caucus-goers on Edwards’ behalf within Iowa and in any other state where the SEIU state councils have also endorsed Edwards.
Tasini speculated last week that the following SEIU state councils may endorse Edwards:
New Hampshire--leaning strongly towards Edwards.
Iowa and Nevada--Edwards
California--Edwards (this is not particularly new information--that's been rumored before)
Where SEIU Locals Might End Up In the Prez Race
John Edwards' Closing Remarks before the SEIU Convention:
Do You Believe?
In September, Edwards earned the endorsement of the Transport Workers Union of America (200,000 active and retired members), the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (520,000 active members), the United Steelworkers (1.2 million active members and retirees), and the United Mine Workers of America (105,000 active members and retirees).
John Edwards is the Blue/Green candidate, supported by unions and environmental groups together.
UPDATE I: From philgoblue in the comments, some info on Iowa SEIU:
There are three locals in Iowa, only 119 has a website, based on its ExecBoard, it seems to be centered around the University of Iowa hospital (if that's what UIHC means) and some school systems (unclear if that's teachers or staff).
http://www.seiu199.org/
Local 199 Excecutive Board
President: Cathy Singer, UIHC
Vice President: Walt Knapper, North Scott Schools
Secretary: Marjie Caruth, UIHC
Treasurer: Norman Kalvig, UIHC
Members:
Rachel Barrow, UIHC
Ann Byrne, UIHC
Rob Haight, Bettendorf Schools
Daryl Lewis, Iowa City Schools
Mary Jo Meggers, UIHC
Dave Morris, Dubuque Schools
Becky Pottorff-Leaven, UIHC
Rod Perdue, Iowa City Schools
Sarah Swisher, UIHC
Ann Fessler, Finley Hospital
Trustees:
Cynthia Dohrer, Iowa City Schools
Marshall Clemons, Cedar Rapids Schools
Angela Trenkamp, UIHC
Update II: Iowa SEIU Local 199 President Cathy Glasson:
"As a Registered Nurse who knows first hand the need for health care reform, it's a great honor to announce that the members of SEIU Iowa have chosen to endorse John Edwards for president of the United States," said Iowa SEIU Local 199 President Cathy Glasson. "In Iowa, we are uniquely positioned to see and hear the candidates, and members are well informed on the issues important to working families. John Edwards earned our support by taking a strong stand on health care and because he offers our members the greatest hope for restoring the American Dream."
"SEIU is at the forefront of the fight to make work pay and provide economic security to hardworking families. I have proudly stood with them on the frontlines of the fight for working Americans for years, and I am honored to earn their support today," said Edwards. "Together, I believe we can fix the broken system in Washington that has been rigged by corporate interests, and we can make this country work for regular Americans again."
Edwards Wins Endorsement Of Iowa SEIU