By CHRIS DUGOVICH

Chris Dugovich
Council 2 President/Executive Director

WHILE HARDLY as active as the 2004 presidential election, 2006 is a very important year for politics in Washington State. Leading the ticket is Senator Maria Cantwell, a longtime champion for issues important to public employees and their families and a strong advocate for consumer protection, clean affordable energy and other issues.

Early this year Council 2 provided an early, enthusiastic endorsement for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. On May 13 the Washington State Labor Council followed suit — providing Cantwell with some momentum against a tough challenger with the full backing of the Bush Administration.

Cantwell’s leadership on issues critical to our membership and public employees generally has helped her earn a 92 percent lifetime rating with AFSCME. She has been a consistent champion for pension protection, protecting union jobs at defense installations, and helping local governments with funds for security and the war on drugs.

Not only does helping local government with more federal money help our employers balance their increasing general fund pressures, but also resulted in Cantwell winning early support from law enforcement groups here in Washington State.

The AFL-CIO nationally gives Cantwell an 88 percent lifetime rating. Standouts of her larger record include standing up in opposition to privatizing social security, working to raise the federal minimum wage, protect prevailing wages, and co-sponsorship of the Employee Free Choice Act.

During the last recession, Cantwell passed bills extending unemployment benefits for laid-off Washington workers and brought resources into the state for worker retraining and continuing education.

Serving on the Senate Energy Committee, Cantwell has been dogged in her defense of Washington consumers — from exposing Enron price gouging in Snohomish County to fighting attempts to raise bpa power rates throughout the state. Furthermore, with fuel prices hurting all of us — and our employers — Cantwell has demanded honesty and accountability from an oil industry making record profits while we pay record prices.

The daughter of a longtime county employee, Senator Cantwell truly understands the values and concerns of our families. We have worked with her since she was a member of the Washington State House of Representatives and have always enjoyed a productive relationship with the senator and her staff.

In 2000 we were the first union to endorse Maria, and many of us logged hours in parades and events, staffing phone banks, and going door to door helping her to a narrow victory. This year will be no different: we need to mobilize to help our friend, our senator, win once again.

Visit www.cantwell.com for more information on the campaign and how you can help — or call (206) 217-2006 and talk to the campaign directly.