MN-08: DFL Front Runner Rick Nolan Wins UFCW Endorsement

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Friday December 02, 2011 · 5:55 AM PST

2011/12/02 · 05:55

Current 8th congressional district DFL front-runner Rick Nolan continued to build on his lead in the DFL endorsement race Thursday, winning the support of the United Food and Commercial International Workers (UFCW) union. The 12,000 member UFCW local 1189 issued a strong endorsement for Nolan, specifically citing the former congressman's proven ability to win elections and his strong record of support for organized labor.

Don Seaquist, President of UFCW Local 1189, echoed the words of labor leaders who previously endorsed Nolan as a champion for working people:

We are excited and proud to endorse Rick Nolan in this race to beat Tea Party Republican Chip Cravaack. This is a very important endorsement for our union. The assault on working families has never been more aggressive. We need more than someone who just supports our fight for collective bargaining rights, fair wages, and job creation. We need a champion and an effective leader at this critical hour.

Tamara Jones, Duluth area UFCW Representative, added:

We know that Rick is one of us, and will go to Washington as the most effective champion for Minnesota’s working families

Tom Cvar, UFCW Representative from Mountain Iron, said that Nolan's solid track record of winning elections in conservative districts and his previous 3 terms of service in Congress make him the logical choice:

On the Range, we see Rick’s experience, congressional seniority and record of electability making him clearly the strongest candidate in this race.

Nolan's record in the Minnesota House of Representatives and in Congress shows he always fought with and defended organized labor even though it was not always easy for him to do so in the conservative districts he represented. Nolan emphasized once again that this race is not about any particular candidate, but rather about the people of the 8th congressional district:

This campaign is about restoring good paying jobs in northeastern Minnesota, and protecting our quality of life. Congressman Cravaack has demonstrated time and again he is more focused on protecting the richest Americans and special interests in Washington, instead of working to represent kids, families and communities that need our help.
We have a tough fight ahead of us, but I am ready to go to Washington and help get the economy back on track. That means millionaires and billionaires paying their fair share. It means re-investing in infrastructure – roads, bridges, light rail, schools and public spaces – to put Minnesotans back to work.

It seems clear that Cuyuna Range native Rick Nolan will follow in the footsteps of Mesabi Range natives John Blatnik and James Oberstar in fighting for the working people of the 8th congressional district.

One of us, working for us again. What a novel idea.

Also vying to be the DFL candidate to challenge Tea Party Chip Cravaack of New Hampshire are Duluth City Councilor Jeff Anderson, former St. Cloud State Senator Tarryl Clark and Daniel Fanning. Nolan and Anderson are the only natives of the 8th congressional district (or Minnesota) in the race.

Former Congressman Rick Nolan handily won a straw poll of the 8th Congressional District DFL Central Committee in October and is the only candidate who has said he will abide by the DFL endorsement. In addition, Nolan has amassed the lion's share of endorsements in the race thus far.

The long list of labor, DFL and community leaders who have previously endorsed the former 6th district congressman include Iron Range Labor Assembly President Tom Cvar, Duluth Central Labor Body President Dan O’Neill, Carlton County Labor Body President Mike Kuiti, former Duluth Central Labor Body Presidents Al Netland and George Sundstrom; Duluth State Rep. Kerry Gauthier; Brainerd State Rep. John Ward; former Minnesota Senate President Don Samuelson; Iron Range Legislative Delegation Chair State Rep.Tom Anzelc; former Cuyuna Range State Rep. Kris Hasskamp; Iron Range publishing icon Veda Ponikvar of Chisholm; former State Representative and Eveleth Mayor (and present Citizen Representative on the IRRRB) Joe Begich; House Assistant Minority Leader State Rep. John Persell of Bemidji;Duluth community activists Erik Peterson and Tina Welsh, former Bemidji native State Rep. Ryan Winkler; former State Sen. Becky Lourey of Kerrick; former State Rep. Tim Faust of Mora; former State Sen. George Perpich of Chisholm; and former Minnesota Congressmen Bill Luther and Martin Sabo.

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