AFSCME Council 13 Endorses McCord, Murphy, DePasquale and Casey

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On March 14, 2012, Council 13 AFSCME (the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) announced its endorsement of Rob McCord for State Treasurer; Patrick Murphy for Attorney General; and Eugene DePasquale for Auditor General, in the upcoming primary. The committee also endorsed Robert Casey, Jr. for U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania in the November general election.

Council 13's Statewide Steering Committee, a panel of Council 13 members who vote on the endorsement of state candidates, voted unanimously to endorse all four candidates. Treasurer Rob McCord told the committee he has turned the state treasury around with cost saving measures. He said he was proud to be a friend and ally to AFSCME and its members. "The work you do is incredibly important and too often thankless," he said. McCord serves as a trustee on the SERS board along with Council 13 Executive Director David R. Fillman. He also serves as a trustee on the PSERS board. "The union spirit Treasurer McCord got from his mother has never left him," Fillman said.

Attorney General candidate Patrick Murphy (the only contested race) told the committee, "I'm excited about the small fights and the big fights. I stood with you on health care reform, I stood with you on the Employee Free Choice Act and I will stand with you to protect collective bargaining rights in this state." He stressed the importance of working together with Republicans without compromising your position."

"Coming from a union household Patrick Murphy knows the importance of protecting working families," said Fillman. "And as an Iraq veteran, he knows the value of good leadership and public service."

DePasquale, who has a 100% voting record on AFSCME issues, was unable to address the committee as he was debating the Voter ID bill in the House. His campaign manager, John Jones, spoke on his behalf assuring members that candidate DePasquale will continue fighting for safety, fairness and transparency as our Auditor General.

The committee kicked off the meeting with a quick, unanimous endorsement of Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. "The general election will be here before we know it," said Fillman. "Bob Casey has been a champion for workers throughout his political career. Our folks appreciate what he continually brings to the table for Pennsylvania's working families."

AFSCME Council 13 represents more than 65,000 employees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.afscme13.org

SOURCE AFSCME Council 13