Iowa AFL-CIO endorses Braley

The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO has endorsed Bruce Braley in the 1st District’s crowded Democratic primary.

The incumbent, Republican Rep. Jim Nussle, is retiring to run for Iowa governor. The race to replace him is expected to be one of the most hotly contested this year.

Though labor’s role in deciding elections has diminished, it remains a potential factor in eastern Iowa, which is a manufacturing corridor. The union’s political committee endorsed Braley, a lawyer from Waterloo, at its political convention.

Braley also finished 2005 with more cash on hand than his two chief Democratic rivals: Richard Dickinson, who is director of the Greater Dubuque Development Corp., and Bill Gluba, a land developer and former state senator. Three Republicans are also seen as competing for the seat.