AFSCME Council 13 Endorses McCord for Governor

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On November 1, 2013, AFSCME Council 13 announced its endorsement of PA State Treasurer Rob McCord for governor.

After holding interviews with six democratic gubernatorial candidates, Council 13's Statewide Steering Committee, a panel of Council 13 members who vote on the endorsement of state candidates, voted unanimously to endorse Treas. McCord.  

McCord told the committee, "We've been getting things done in the treasurer's office, where some of your members are employed."  The treasurer's office has generated $1.4 billion in revenue for the state through its investments since January 2009.  In addition, the Pennsylvania 529 college savings program has gone from 70 percent funded to 100 percent funded.  McCord stressed the importance of education and promised to reverse Tom Corbett's devastating cuts to education.  He also assured members he will continue to fight against the wasteful efforts to privatize the PA Lottery noting that 'our lottery isn't just not-broken; it's the best-of-breed.' 

"Our members know Rob McCord. He has done a superb job as our treasurer," said AFSCME Council 13 Executive Director David Fillman.  "And coming from a union household that often faced tough economic times, he understands how important it is to invest in working families again.  We're confident he will continue to serve with fairness and integrity as our governor."

The committee also endorsed Judge Jack McVay, Jr. for Superior Court Judge, and retention of Supreme Court's Chief Justice Ronald Castille and Justice Max Baer; and Superior Court Judge Jack Panella and Judge Susan Peikes Gantman.

AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) is the largest affiliate in the AFL-CIO.  AFSCME Council 13 represents more than 65,000 employees in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania (45,000 state employees and 21,000 in Pennsylvania's counties, municipalities, cities, school districts, authorities, non-profits, and health care facilities).

SOURCE AFSCME Council 13