ORANGE, CA — The Orange County Labor Federation met on Thursday evening and issued its endorsements for the upcoming Assembly and Congressional Open Primary elections in June 2012. From their release:
The Orange County Labor Federation is the central labor body representing more 90 affiliated unions comprised of more than 300,000 union households in Orange County. Recommendations were made after a rigorous process that includes candidate completion of the federation’s mandatory candidate academy and interviews by rank and file members through the OCLF Committee on Political Education (COPE).
OCLF Candidate Endorsements include:
45th Congressional District Sukhee Kang
46th Congressional District Loretta Sanchez
47th Congressional District Alan Lowenthal
69th Assembly District Julio Perez
72nd Assembly District Joseph DovinhThe Orange County Labor Federation supports its endorsed candidates by educating members, providing financial support and allowing candidates the use of endorsement for publicity and printed materials.
The only contested endorsement was that for the 69th Assembly seat being vacated by Assemblyman Jose Solorio due to term limits. Labor Leader Julio Perez prevailed against County Clerk-Recorder and Former Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly, and Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez. The 69th Assembly District is considered a predominantly Democratic district that represents the highest Latino population of any Assembly District in California. Both the Primary and general elections are anticipated to be close, hotly contested, races.
Assemblyman Solorio has issued a duel endorsement of both Tom Daly and Michele Martinez. Initially Solorio endorsed Martinez along with members of the City Council. Yet he surprised Martinez when he issued his endorsement of Daly as well. Solorio had recruited Martinez to run after his first choice, Santa Ana Councilman Vincent Sarmiento bowed out from a widely anticipated run. It appears that some establishment Democrats, in addition to moderate Republicans, are lining up behind Daly at this point. This was the same group of people that Martinez was hoping Solorio would deliver support from.
Organized labor groups have been widely expected to back Perez, the former Political Director for the Orange County Labor Federation. Labor Organizations in addition to the Orange County Labor Federation that have endorsed Julio Perez to date include; Laborers International Union of North America, AFSCME, District Council 36, AFSCME, Local 2076, UNITE HERE, Local 11, United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 324, IATSE, Local 504, Laborers, Local 652, Roofers, Local 220, Sprinkler Fitters, UA Local 709, and Orange County Employees Associaiton.
Endorsements from elected officials for Perez include; (ret.) State Senator Joe Dunn, 34th District, Betty Yee, CA State Board of Equalization Member, Lorri Galloway, Anaheim City Council Member , Michael Matsuda, North Orange County Community College District Trustee , John Hanna, Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee, Dr. Jose Moreno, Anaheim City School District Trustee, Bao Nguyen, Garden Grove Unified School District Trustee, John Palacio, Santa Ana Unified School District Trustee, Sergio Contreras, Westminster School Board Trustee, Kim Oanh Nguyen Lam, (ret.) Garden Grove Unified School District Trustee, Jeff Cole, Anaheim City School District Trustee and Connie Boardman, Huntington City Councilwoman.
The Orange County Labor Federation list of endorsements puts to bed the speculation that retired Senator Joe Dunn was going to seek the newly drawn 47th Congressional District seat. Dunn cancelled his interview with the Orange County Labor Federation and has indicated he is no longer considering a run.
Enlightening – what a surprise!