Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008 | I wanted to respond to some of the comments about the Labor Council’s decision to change its dual endorsement in my District 3 City Council race to a sole endorsement of Todd Gloria.
I’m proud of my record of support for San Diego’s working families. In fact, when they endorsed me in the primary, the Labor Council told me that I earned a perfect score on their questionnaire. I’ll continue standing up for working families, regardless of the Labor Council’s decision.
When I was asked several times at the endorsement meeting whether I would support the Labor Council’s choice for City Council president if it were someone other than Councilmember Donna Frye, it was surprising, because it wasn’t an issue mentioned in the Labor Council questionnaire.
As I told the Labor Council that day, I pledge to consider a wide variety of views, including the Labor Council’s, when considering which candidate to support for the council presidency. But I will not pledge to oppose Donna Frye or to support any candidate at this point in time. Without knowing their views on the presidency, any decision would be premature.
Two individuals have written letters reacting to our description of what occurred. A quote from Harry Truman comes to mind in considering the reactions of these two individuals: “I didn’t give them hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.”
There are many individual unions and labor groups that are fully committed to the tough job of fighting for working families. I am proud to have the support of a number of labor organizations that have maintained their dual endorsements. They include the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 127, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers of America Local 1125, and the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, among others.
Endorsement issues aside, we have a lot to do in San Diego to improve the lives of working people, and I look forward to working on the City Council to make progress on those crucial challenges facing us.