Major labor union federation endorses Jocelyn Benson for governor – The Detroit News

Lansing — The Michigan AFL-CIO has endorsed Jocelyn Benson for governor, adding to the growing union support behind the Detroit Democrat as the Aug. 4 primary approaches.
The endorsement from the 1 million-member federation of labor unions comes two days after the Service Employees International Union offered its support for the current Michigan secretary of state and a few weeks after Benson secured the endorsement of the United Auto Workers.
But Michigan’s largest teacher union has yet to endorse and the Teamsters union earlier this month threw its support behind Benson’s Democratic primary challenger, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.
Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, said in a statement that Benson has fought for workers as secretary of state and will continue to do so as governor.
“Michigan workers need a governor who will lower costs, raise wages, protect safe workplaces, and ensure workers have a voice on the job,” Bieber said in a statement.
Benson, in a statement, argued the AFL-CIO “amplifies” the voices of hard-working Michigan residents.
“I’m proud to have them on the team because Michiganders need a governor who will fight to lower their costs, raise their wages, and make sure their families can succeed,” Benson said. “I won’t hesitate to take on anyone — no matter how powerful — who gets in the way of that mission.”
The AFL-CIO endorsement comes the same day absentee voting begins in Michigan ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.
The UAW endorsed Benson earlier this month, and SEIU did the same on Monday.
Last week, Teamsters endorsed Swanson, and in mid-May, the Michigan Education Association said it was unable to reach an agreement on which candidate to recommend for governor. The MEA announced its endorsement stalemate when independent Mike Duggan was still in the race; he dropped out in late May.
On Monday, President Donald Trump endorsed Republican U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township for governor, an announcement that prompted Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township to drop from the GOP primary race.
Bloomfield Hills businessman Perry Johnson and former Attorney General Mike Cox of Livonia remain in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com
Staff Writer Craig Mauger contributed.

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