The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents more than 12,000 government workers in New Mexico, has endorsed Tom Udall’s Senate run and Martin Heinrich’s First Congressional District bid.
The endorsements come with the resources and volunteers of a nationally powerful organization.
The union’s political action committee voted unanimously Tuesday evening to endorse Udall “because he has a strong track record of fighting for New Mexico’s workers and has the experience we need,” according to a news release from the union.
“Tom is a once-in-a-lifetime elected official. He is the type of person that we never have to second guess where he stands on workers’ issues. He has always been with labor and we are very thankful for that,” said AFSCME Executive Director Lawrence Rodriguez.
Christine Serrano, a member of the union’s PAC and a state employee, said Udall “has been a wonderful representative for all of us in northern
In endorsing Heinrich’s bid for Congress, the union stated in its news release that he has “consistently stood with the hard working people of
“Politicians always seem to talk the talk, but Martin walks the walk. He cares about the hard-working people of this state and has always fought by our side,” said AFSCME President Andrew Padilla.
Maria Gallegos, a member of the union’s PAC and employee of an
The union won’t make endorsements in the state’s other congressional races until at least January.
Udall is facing alternative media publisher and editor and activist Leland Lehrman in the Democratic primary. The Republicans running for Senate are U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson.
Heinrich is facing high-school teacher Jason Call and former state Health Secretary Michelle Lujan-Grisham in the Democratic primary. The Republicans running are state Sen. Joe Carraro and Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White.