|
Union backs Dingell to keep gavel |
|
By Kevin Bogardus
|
|
Posted: 11/17/08 05:56 PM [ET] |
A prominent labor group is backing Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) in his battle for the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers began sending a letter to lawmakers last week asking them to support Dingell in his fight with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) to hold the panel’s gavel.
“The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers supported John Dingell since his first election to the House of Representatives and as Chairman to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Whether ranking member of Chairman, John Dingell has always been a staunch ally of working men and women,” states the letter.
“This isn’t anti-Waxman. This is pro-Dingell,” said Rich Michalski, general vice president of the union. Michalski said he is asking other labor groups to back the Michigan Democrat as well.
The union has about 730,000 members across North America. Its political action committee contributed the maximum amount of $5,000 to Dingell this election campaign. Organized labor has contributed more than $1.3 million to Dingell over his career on Capitol Hill, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
“I don’t know of any unions that are against John Dingell,” Michalski said. “John Dingell has been a friend of working people for a half-century. That’s a pretty heavy record to beat.” |
