MLK Labor Endorses Six Additional Candidates

August 22, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Charles Lapham, MLK Labor Communications Director
503-713-3032, Charles@MLKLabor.org

MLK Labor Endorses Six Additional Candidates Including Tammy Morales and Dan Strauss in Seattle

(SEATTLE) — MLK Labor delegates, which are composed of several hundred rank-and-file union members and leaders, voted to endorse six candidates in their first meeting after the August Primary.

The Labor Council endorsed the following candidates:

• Tammy Morales, Seattle City Council Pos 2

• Dan Strauss, Seattle City Council Pos 6

• Damiana Merryweather, Seatac City Council Pos 3

• Mohammed Egal, Seatac City Council Pos 7

• Marcie Maxwell, Renton Mayor

• Hira Bhullar, Kent City Council Pos 3

In addition to the endorsements, Dustin Lambro of Teamsters 117 was sworn in as the new MLK Labor President. Dustin is the first out gay president in the Labor Council’s 120-year history.

MLK Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Grant had the following statement on the endorsements:

“The future of Seattle and cities across King County is at stake in November and working families are ready to fight for candidates who will stand up against corporations and win progressive results. From Seattle to SeaTac, voters will have a clear choice between candidates who will fight to the working-class and those who will bow to corporate interests.”

MLK Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Grant had the following statement on Dan Strauss:

“Working families are proud to endorse Dan Strauss. Dan will preserve what’s good about Ballard: high-wage industrial jobs and a rich local economy while making sure that the district  prepares for the growth that our city must embrace in order to prevent atrophy.”

Dan Strauss had the following statement on the MLK Labor endorsement:

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the MLK Labor Council. Strong unions are the key to a strong economy that works for everyone, one in which all workers receive living wages and good benefits. I have stood on picket lines alongside union members and I’m proud to never have crossed one.

I have seen the impact of unions and the quality of life they provide for their members – many of my neighbors growing up were union members who raised my friends on family-wage jobs. I will continue to fight for and stand with labor.”

MLK Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Grant had the following statement on Tammy Morales:

“We are pleased to join dozens of labor unions in their support of Tammy Morales. Seattle’s District 2 is a diverse, working-class neighborhood and Tammy has demonstrated care and awareness of her neighbors’ needs year after year.”

Tammy Morales had the following statement on the MLK Labor endorsement:

“It’s important to me that working families in the city know they have an advocate who will be looking out for them at City Hall. The support of the Martin Luther King County Labor Council, which represents workers in service and trade unions, demonstrates the strength of our platform and commitment to building worker power. I look forward to working alongside the council to ensure good outcomes for our neighbors in District 2 and across Seattle.”

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MLK Labor is the central body of labor organizations in King County, Washington. We represent more than 150 unions and 100,000 workers. United, we are a voice for the interests and needs of working people in King County.