November 1, 2007

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) stands next to AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee during the press conference to announce AFSCME's official endorsement of her bid for the Presidency of the United States.

Photo Credit: Jay Mallin

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) decided to take a bold step forward in the fight for working families and endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) for President of the United States.

“As our President, Hillary Clinton will help rebuild America’s middle class and make sure that everyone shares in our country’s prosperity. She has a record of leadership, of bringing people together for more than 30 years. Hillary Clinton inspires our members. She sparks the flame we need to win,” said AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee during a press conference at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.

“I am honored to receive the support of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees,” Senator Clinton said. “In my administration, America’s working families will again have a partner in the White House.”

AFSCME’s International Executive Board voted to endorse Senator Clinton following an extensive 10-month, member-driven endorsement process – including candidate appearances, interviews and membership polls. The union’s polls show that Clinton enjoys deep support among its members.

At the event, AFSCME activists enthusiastically welcomed Senator Clinton's remarks about the privatization of government services.

“I’m going to start reversing the outsourcing of our government. I intend to cut 500,000 private contracting jobs my first year,” Clinton told AFSCME members in attendance. “There are now more private contractors being paid with our tax dollars than there are civilian and military employees combined and I don’t think most Americans know that. We’re just looking at the tip of a very dirty iceberg and we’re going to drill down and we’re going to begin to take our government back and put it back in the hands of the American people for a change.”

AFSCME plans to mobilize a volunteer army of 40,000 members and spend $60 million in 2008 to elect Senator Clinton, increase its majorities in the U.S. Senate and House, and influence key gubernatorial contests, state legislative races and ballot initiatives. AFSCME is now preparing to launch a major effort in the critical early state of Iowa, where it represents more than 30,000 workers.