Democrat Bill Ritter announced today that he has received the endorsement of the Teamsters union, which is a nice endorsement but is only relevant under certain circumstances.
Getting the Teamsters to endorse him might help Ritter get the full endorsement of Colorado’s labor unions, but only in a primary campaign against someone outside of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Colorado’s labor unions aren’t going to endorse Republicans Marc Holtzman or Bob Beauprez, and they aren’t going to back Democrat Gary Lindstrom, whose only hope at winning the governor’s race is for all of the other candidates to be hit by a meteor.
It would be unlikely that Ritter would get the full union endorsement against Hickenlooper in a primary, because they aren’t going to piss off the guy who would probably win that race (Hickenlooper). So, while this is a nice endorsement for Ritter, it only really matters if he has a primary against a viable opponent (not Lindstrom) who is not a sure bet like Hickenlooper. If Ritter ends up taking on Democrat Alice Madden in a primary, for example, then this endorsement could eventually play a role.
To read the full press release from the Ritter campaign, click below…
TEAMSTERS ENDORSE RITTER FOR GOVERNOR
The Colorado Council of Teamsters today endorsed leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter, the second major labor endorsement for the former Denver district attorney.
We feel that Bill Ritter is by far the best candidate for working men and women, particularly Teamster men and women, said Council President Ted Textor. Based on his beliefs and his background, we believe Bill will work harder than anyone to give working families a fair shot at achieving a middle-class lifestyle.
The Colorado Council of Teamsters is composed of six independent locals that represent nearly 16,000 members statewide. Teamsters represent 1.4 million members worldwide.
Im honored to win the backing of such an influential labor organization as the Colorado Council of Teamsters, Ritter said. One of my highest priorities will be to protect the interests of working men and women across Colorado.
Ritters father was a member of Operating Engineers Local 9 until he passed away in March 2005 at age 75. Ritter himself was a member of Laborers Local 720 more than 20 years ago working his way through college and law school as a pipelayer.
Ritter picked up an endorsement from United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 in September. Local 7 represents 22,500 members in Colorado.
Bill is a great friend to the working people of Colorado, Local 7 President Ernest L. Duran Jr. said at the time. This is a resounding endorsement. Bills personal history and political beliefs are 100 percent in keeping with our primary mission of improving the wages, benefits and working conditions across the state. Were excited to get out there and help get him elected him as Colorados next governor.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
BY: kwtree
IN: Monday Open Thread
BY: Conserv. Head Banger
IN: Monday Open Thread
BY: Conserv. Head Banger
IN: Thanksgiving Weekend Open Thread
BY: Sunmusing
IN: Lauren Boebert Picks Up George Santos’ Favorite Side Hustle
BY: JohnNorthofDenver
IN: Monday Open Thread
BY: JohnInDenver
IN: It’s Always Weird When Election Deniers Win The Election
BY: Conserv. Head Banger
IN: Thanksgiving Weekend Open Thread
BY: doremi
IN: It’s Always Weird When Election Deniers Win The Election
BY: kwtree
IN: Monday Open Thread
BY: Ben Folds5
IN: Monday Open Thread
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop with regular updates!
[i]The Colorado Council of Teamsters is composed of six independent locals that represent nearly 16,000 members statewide. Teamsters represent 1.4 million members worldwide.[/i]
……..
Those membership numbers explain why the union endorsement is wholly irrelevant.
Colorado is not NYC, NJ, Philly or Chicago.
Bad Moon clearly has no idea how labor unions work and why endorsements of individual unions matter. He just likes to use the term “wholly irrelevant” because it makes him sound smart.
Gee, Ted – why don’t you regale us all with why it matters that a 16,000 member union in a state that where more than 2,000,000 people vote?
And for the mathematically challenged, that less than 1% of all voters – which of course assumes that all 16,000 would be voting for one party only.
Yes, Ted – please do grace us with you deep knowledge of why .8% of the Teamsters Union means jack squat in Colorado.
(There, no big words like ‘wholly irrelevant’ for you to trip over).
I’m not so sure unions are necessary anymore. The glass shop I have worked at since 1984 used to be union. They dropped the union in 1981 I believe, three years before I started. They aren’t really missed. Most all of our glaziers make union scale but don’t have to pay dues. I have moved up to second from the president, make well over union scale, and surely don’t their help.
I have nothing against them but I think more than not, they have finished serving their usefullness.
Don’t get me wrong, if it wasn’t for the unions back in the early 20th century, we would all likely be working for next to slave wages. For that I am grateful.
BadMoonRising wrote:
>why don’t you regale us all with why it matters
>that a 16,000 member union in a state that where
>more than 2,000,000 people vote?
Because 16,000 people will man a sh*tload of phone banks. Never underestimate the importance of union support. It goes way beyond individual votes.
“They(the unions)aren’t really missed. Most all of our glaziers make union scale but don’t have to pay dues.”
Gecko…
When the unions leave, how long will you be paid “union scale”? Just long enough for owners to figure out they can set a different standard for pay. I guarentee it will be less than union scale.
The Teamster endorsement is a huge score to the Ritter camp. Anyone that has worked with the Colorado Council knows that they will bring a professionally run field program to the table. Critics should also take into account that the 16,000 count does not include family members. In addition, Ted Texter?s leadership is sure to encourage the other unions who are still sitting out to jump in the game. Go Bill
I’m simply amazed that you folks think that all 16,000 union members are Democrats.
Or are you implying that union chiefs work to ENSURE that their members ‘toe the line’ ?
So tell me again – what’s the purpose of unions again (other than ensuring that they continue to exist).
Sorry folks, I DO know how unions operate, and haven’t been part of one – by choice – for more than 30 years. My younger brother got forced into a union in NY some years back – after they found out he wasn’t a member, he suddenly couldn’t get work, until his due were paid in full – in arrears.
Unions matter politically in the Democratic primary and in a close general race, they could hold the balance. Owens won his first race for Governer by less than 10,000 votes. The power is lining up behind Ritter like iron filings on a magnet.
I don’t think outside Republican money is going to be a factor. I don’t think governors are that important. I think Republicans want to keep Allard’s Senate seat and I think that is the big race and 2008 the big year. 2006 is just preliminary. Republicans nationally need to keep control of the Congress. I think it strange that Republicans are not more concerned about CD7.
You’re right about the strange way the Rs seem hanging back in CD7, Dwyer. Maybe Paschall withdrawing with open the money spigots for Paschall. But don’t kid yourself that money will stay out of the 06 gov race waiting for 08 and Allard. Contribution limits are by race, and there will be plenty spilling in for Beauprez if he wins the primary. Holtzman on the other hand has alienated the Colorado business community and will have to depend mostly on his own resources and those of his eastern European friends. He’s already falling way behind Beauprez in actual fund-raising, plugging the gap by loaning or giving money to his campaign from his own resources. I’m also curious why the Rs haven’t put more into 3, I know holding on to Salazar’s seat is a huge priority for the Demncrats.
And you are right Voyageur, about 3. There is a lot that doesn’t seem to make sense. Holtzman is self destructing; unless he is some kind of decoy to attract the far right and then he is gone and they have no place to go.
Party splits help the other side. I predict Holtzman will be gone by March; Madden will not run and the parties will not have brusing primaries.
On the other hand, it is only January.
There’s a long way to August yet.
I figure that around mid-to-late June most voters will begin paying attention. Only the most dedicated political hacks are paying attention this early.
*COMMENT REMOVED*
Colorado Pols does not permit postings that are either purposely false or needlessly vicious towards individuals or groups.