IAMAW Endorses Jamie Raskin for Congress

Press Release

The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) announced today that it is endorsing Jamie Raskin in his campaign for Congress in Maryland's 8th District.

"This seat is an essential one for labor and Raskin has shown extraordinary leadership in the Maryland General Assembly and that he will take on the tough fights and build the coalitions needed to win big victories for working families," said International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Tom Buffenbarger. "As a distinguished constitutional law professor and civil rights lawyer, Jamie has always fought hard for the rights of unions and working people. As a State Senator, he has been a staunch defender of the right to organize and collectively bargain and he's been a passionate opponent of union-busting."

"The labor movement needs effective progressive leaders we can count on to do the right thing at a time of big-money corporate politics and right-wing assaults on the living standards of working people," said Buffenbarger. "We are proud to stand with Jamie and will do whatever we can with our brothers and sisters in the Labor movement to see that he wins this crucial Democratic primary election on April 26, 2016."

The IAMAW represents over 600,000 active and retired members across North America and is known for their diverse membership and advocacy of progressive policies.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of hundreds of thousands of Machinist Union members across the country," said Senator Raskin. "I will go to Washington to fight for working families, to defend and expand the right to organize, and to stand up for collective bargaining and the interests of the besieged middle class. I'm honored to have the Machinists and Aerospace Workers stand with me in this campaign and look forward to working with them closely in Washington."

Earlier this week Raskin announced the endorsement of the Sierra Club, with 2.4 million members across the country. Raskin has already earned the endorsement of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, Progressive Democrats of America and more than 60 Democratic elected officials, including the state's top Democrat, Attorney General Brian Frosh, Congressman John Sarbanes from the neighboring district, Congressman John Conyers who is the longest serving member of the US House and the co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Mark Takano, State Senators Rich Madaleno, Susan Lee, Karen Montgomery and Ron Young, Delegate Karen Lewis Young, and dozens of other state and local officials.

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