Massachusetts AFL-CIO Announces Endorsement of Joseph P. Kennedy, III in 4th Congressional District

Massachusetts AFL-CIO Announces Endorsement of Joseph P. Kennedy, III in 4th Congressional District

State’s largest labor organization to mobilize working families in 2012 elections

MALDEN, MA FEBRUARY 12, 2012…The state’s largest labor organization endorsed Joseph P. Kennedy, III in the 4th Congressional District with a unanimous vote of its Executive Council’s Committee on Political Education at a conference in Plymouth on Thursday. With so much at stake in the nation’s federal elections, every seat in Massachusetts carries importance; but an open seat carries that much more importance. An opportunity to help launch the career of an impressive young man who embodies a true working families’ champion motivates a state labor movement that is eager for a new Congressman Kennedy.

State AFL-CIO President Steven A. Tolman said, “We are extremely excited about Joe’s candidacy. We are thrilled by the opportunity to help elect this particularly erstwhile and sincere public servant to the U.S. House of Representatives. His uncle, Senator Kennedy, was the biggest champion working families ever had in Washington, and Joe is ready to bring his own talents and values to bolster that legacy and write his own chapter.  Joe has a firm understanding of the issues of the middle class, the working poor, the unemployed and the underemployed, and we are confident that once elected, he will be fighting for them his whole life.”

Joseph P. Kennedy, III proudly accepted the endorsement, saying, “As I consider a candidacy for the 4th Congressional District working peoples' concerns are front and center. The AFL-CIO has always been a passionate advocate for basic fairness and economic opportunity for its members and working men and women across the country.  I really appreciate this early expression of support.”

In a joint statement, the Greater Boston, Norfolk County, Plymouth/Bristol, Greater Southeastern and Central Massachusetts Central Labor Councils, all representing members in the newly configured 4th District, expressed excitement about Joe Kennedy’s burgeoning campaign, “Our members and too many working families are still suffering from the effects of the recession and an economy that has been stacked against them. Joe Kennedy’s candidacy has truly invigorated our region. We are excited to hit the ground running to talk to our members about everything he stands for. We are eager to help Mr. Kennedy earn the support of voters who need his special kind of talents and heartfelt values now more than ever.”