Washington, DC – Earlier today, Keith Ellison was endorsed overwhelmingly by the AFL-CIO, which represents 12 million workers and 56 national and international unions. After the endorsement, Keith Ellison and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka released the following statements:

“Representative Ellison meets the high standard working people expect from leaders of our political parties,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “He is a proven leader, who will focus on year-round grassroots organizing to deliver for working families across America. Under his leadership, the Democratic Party will embody the values that our members stand for every day.”

“There simply is no stronger voice for working people than the AFL-CIO, which represents 12 million workers in every section of our country,” said Ellison. “I am proud to have their endorsement for DNC Chair. For decades, they have organized and won higher wages, safer working conditions and the right to a seat at the table to bargain collectively. They believe, as I do, that America’s workers do best when they get organized. The right-wing knows this too. That’s why it’s spent years rolling back labor protections, lowering wages, and making it harder to join a union. The AFL-CIO knows the challenges facing America’s working families and how to speak to working Americans of all colors, genders, and backgrounds. I am proud to be on their side and I am even prouder that the AFL-CIO is on mine. Workers will be central to the Democratic Party.”

Additional statements endorsing Keith Ellison for DNC Chair:

“Keith Ellison is a principled progressive, a shrewd strategist and one of the nation’s most tenacious fighters for working families,” said Lee Saunders, President of AFSCME. “As a superb organizer, a talented communicator and a keen listener, he’s got all the attributes a successful party chair needs. As a DNC member, I am proud to personally endorse his candidacy and look forward to working with him.”

“Keith Ellison is a fierce fighter for all working people and our families,” said Randi Weingarten, President of American Federation of Teachers. “His track record as an organizer and a Congressman shows it. Americans must trust that Democrats are on their side if we hope to take back White House and Congress. Keith knows what it takes to build that trust and strengthen the party infrastructure in all our communities throughout this country.”

“Congressman Keith Ellison is the right person to lead the Democratic Party at this time,” said Chris Shelton, President of the Communication Workers of America. “Keith Ellison will make sure that the voices of all working Americans in all communities are heard and able to play a leading role in shaping our Party and our country’s future.”

“When Republicans shut down the Federal Government in 2013, one of the first calls I got was from Rep. Keith Ellison,” said David Cox, President of American Federation of Government Employees. “He knew that the shutdown was hurting millions of workers and their families. Keith’s leadership united us, focused us on our common goal, and accomplished the task at hand.”

Complete list of labor endorsements:

  • AFL-CIO
  • Lee Saunders, DNC Member/President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
  • Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
  • J. David Cox Sr., President of the American Federation of Government Employees
  • Chris Shelton, President of Communications Workers of America
  • Lawrence Hanley, President, Amalgamated Transit Union 
  • Mark Dimondstein, President, American Postal Workers Union
  • RoseAnn DeMoro, Executive Director of National Nurses United
  • Tim Paulson, Executive Director of the San Francisco Labor Council
  • United Steelworkers
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers