AFL-CIO to support The Hawaii State AFL-CIO is announcing today that it is throwing its support behind former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga in the Jan. 4 special election for Congress.
Matsunaga campaign
Other unions have yet to decide their
favorite in the U.S. House raceBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.comConsidered a major endorsement, it comes as other labor organizations, including the teachers union and the carpenters union, are also deciding which congressional candidates to back.
Matsunaga was one of six prominent Democrats interviewed by the organization of 69 private and public sector unions representing an estimated 90,000 members. Three of the six -- Matsunaga, former state Rep. Ed Case and state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa -- filed for the seat.
"They rated us on different criteria based on knowledge of issues, their (ability to get elected), fund raising, the ability to form partnerships with the other members of the congressional delegation and an ability to work with the unions, and I'm very grateful that they decided that I was their choice," Matsunaga said.
The AFL-CIO did not interview candidates from other parties.
The Jan. 4 election will fill the 2nd Congressional District seat covering rural Oahu and the neighbor islands won posthumously by U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink.
Matsunaga said the recognition by this organization as being the "top candidate" will be helpful to his campaign and help to distinguish him from the other 43 candidates in the race
"I think specifically they'll help with manpower and money and helping to get out the vote," Matsunaga said.
But one member of the AFL-CIO disagreed with the Matsunaga endorsement.
The Association of Flight Attendants, United Airlines Local Executive Council 14 in Honolulu, announced that it is endorsing Case.
"While we recognize the earlier endorsement by the Hawaii State AFL-CIO for another candidate, it is the awareness and support of flight attendant issues by Mr. Case that has gained him the support of many members of the United local council of AFA," according to a statement.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association's political action committee is slated to interview candidates next week as part of its endorsement process.
All candidates were invited to apply for the endorsement. Candidates were given a standard questionnaire for all congressional candidates prepared by the National Education Association, the HSTA's parent union, on education and labor issues.
HSTA President Karen Ginoza said the local union is following guidelines set up by NEA.
"With Patsy in Congress, we always knew that she was concerned about children, concerned about education and concerned about teachers," Ginoza said.
"So it is going to be very important that we find someone who will be able to articulate their vision and, I guess, work with us in order to improve education."
Some of the issues of interest include more federal funding for special education, increased funding to help implement No Child Left Behind Act initiatives, the rising cost of medical insurance and union rights.