The AFL-CIO endorsed Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) to take over a Democratic National Committee (DNC) that was rocked by scandal during the 2016 campaign season.
“Ellison meets the high standard working people expect from leaders of our political parties,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Thursday in a statement. “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.”
Ellison is seen as an early frontrunner in the race for DNC chairman, having secured union support and endorsements from incoming Senate Democratic Leader
Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Sen.
Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
But with many saying the party needs a dramatic overhaul in the wake of a disastrous election cycle, there's been a push to widen the field of candidates. Most Democrats believe other candidates are preparing to jump in the race, hinting at uneasiness with Ellison within parts of the party.
A source
told The Hill Wednesday that President Obama and Vice President Biden are personally urging Labor Secretary Tom Perez to join the race. And NARAL president Ilyse Hogue and DNC National Finance Chairman Henry Munoz are also considering bids.
The AFL-CIO is the nation’s largest labor organization, and it’s endorsement carries weight inside the ranks of the Democratic Party.
Some labor leaders are now furious with Trumka, accusing him of seeking to arrange a coronation for Ellison to the detriment of one of their own – Perez.
The Labor secretary approached Trumka to express interest in running for DNC chairman and to let him know he'd want the AFL-CIO’s support if he did. The other two announced candidates – South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley -- also asked Trumka for the AFL-CIO’s endorsement.
But in a letter to members, Trumka called Ellison the favorite and said the labor giant would have members vote on whether to endorse him. No other names were on the AFL-CIO ballot for consideration.
That has infuriated some labor leaders, such as International Association of Firefighters President Harold Schaitberger, who called Trumka's actions “contemptible,” in a letter to the labor leader obtained by The Hill.
“A single name on the ballot more resembles an attempt at a coronation in a totalitarian regime rather than an election within the House of Labor,” Schaitberger wrote.
“Frankly, this causes me great concern that those who may call into question the integrity of our labor movement will now have more ammunition to use against us when we are in the trenches, fighting to protect the hard won gains our members have earned through the years.”
But other top unions, such as the United Steelworkers and Communications Workers of America (CWA), have also endorsed Ellison, who said this week he would resign from Congress if he becomes DNC chairman.
He also has support from top labor leaders such as American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees President Lee Saunders and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.
"The AFL-CIO knows the challenges facing America’s working families and how to speak to working Americans of all colors, genders, and backgrounds,” Ellison said in a statement. “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.”
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the former DNC chairwoman, and her replacement, interim Chairwoman Donna Brazile, have come under fire over allegations they conspired to help
Hillary Clinton secure the party’s nomination over Sen.
Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Jonathan Easley contributed.
Updated 12:12 p.m.
