AFSCME has endorsed Democratic candidate Howard Dean for president.

The decision was based on his record, his position on the issues, the strength of his campaign and the overwhelming and enthusiastic support for his candidacy among afscme’s membership, the union said.

“We have a candidate who represents our values and who can defeat this president,” AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee said. “AFSCME is going to mobilize the largest and most aggressive grassroots campaign this nation has ever seen. Together with Governor Dean, America’s working families will take back the White House in 2004.”

During June and September Council 2 President and Executive Director Chris Dugovich sat through presentations by eight of the 10 Democratic candidates for president. (With the withdrawal of Sen. Bob Graham of Florida from the race, that number was later reduced to nine.)

President George Bush was invited to give a presentation at the events, but declined.

Dugovich outlined the two meetings in his Northwest Regional newsletter. He said it was extremely difficult to pick one of the candidates over the others. All were close on the issues and any one would be an excellent choice.

Dugovich attended the International Executive Board meeting on November 12 at which the board voted unanimously to endorse Governor Dean.

He says he would like to thank all those who wrote or emailed their comments and opinions on Council 2’s presidential poll.
“The clear choice of our members in Council 2, the Northwest Region and around the nation was Howard Dean for president.”