American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
On Aug. 12, District Council 20 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) hosted a press conference to endorse Democrat Muriel Bowser for D.C. mayor. Bowser secured Council 20’s support after meeting with the leadership for nearly an hour, answering questions and committing to follow-up tasks. The announcement was made at Council 20’s headquarters on Kalorama Road in Northwest.
This is the second major union endorsement for Bowser. A day earlier, she received the support of the Metro Washington Labor Council, AFL-CIO union coalition, who endorsed Bowser based on her support for labor issues such as wage-theft enforcement and government workers’ right to unionize, according to the AFL-CIO’s president, Joslyn Williams.
Before giving the floor to Bowser, Council 20’s executive director Andrew D. Washington shared his view of the District, as “a city that is changing at an incredible pace; a city where the income of the top 20 percent is $285,000 a year, while the income of the bottom 20 percent is less than $10,000 a year!”
These staggering figures, he said, are not a matter of economics, but a challenge for the city’s next leader. In considering other candidates for Council 20, Washington said all others fell short. “Unlike her opponents, Muriel does not need to re-introduce herself to voters nor does she need a fake political makeover to recast herself as an ally of working people,” he said.
While he does not expect to see eye-to-eye with Bowser at all times, Washington said he is confident a Bowser administration will be inclusive and respectful to District workers. “In Muriel Bowser, we believe unions will have a seat at the table when important issues are discussed,” he said.
Democratic Mayoral candidate Muriel Bowser.
In response to the support of the more than 6,000 District government employees that form District 20, Bowser said, “I’m honored to be endorsed by the hardworking men and women of District Council 20, a group that helps represent the backbone of our economy. Together, we will build an even stronger and more vibrant city, one that that supports working families, grows middle-class jobs, and brings trusted leadership to the District of Columbia.”
Bowser, 42, won the democratic nomination on April 1, 2014, outing incumbent Vincent Gray. Bowser’s primary contender in the Nov. 4 election is independent D.C. council member, David Catania.
Her campaign touts the fifth-generation Washingtonian as a pragmatic, hands-on approach leader with experience in legislation, oversight, and policy‐making in the District. As Ward 4 Councilmember, her agenda has included pushing an open and ethical government, rebuilding quality neighborhoods, and transforming schools and commercial corridors.
