Ciresi gets some AFSCME backing too

Posted at 1:12 PM on December 4, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Mike Ciresi, a DFLer running for the U.S. Senate, got the backing of AFSCME Council 65. AFSCME Council 5 is backing Democrat Al Franken. Here's an AP story on the endorsements:

ST. PAUL (AP) - Both attorney Mike Ciresi and comedian Al Franken can claim the backing of a well-known union as they vie for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Last month, the political arm of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5 endorsed Franken. On Tuesday, AFSCME Council 65 announced it was supporting Ciresi. Council 65 represents county government employees and counts 13,000 members. Council 5 represents 43,000 public and nonprofit employees in the state. Ciresi and Franken are competing for the chance to take on Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in November. Other Democrats after the nomination are professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, environmental activist Jim Cohen and frequent candidate Dick Franson. (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-12-04-07 1139EST

UPDATE: Here's the response from the AFSCME Council 5 spokeswoman regardings AFSCME Council 65's endorsement:

AFSCME Council 5 is one of the largest and most politically active unions with 43,000 members in Minnesota. We have a war chest and an army of 1000 volunteers dedicated to electing Al Franken and restoring the middle class.

Because of our track record, the media calls us “politically potent.”

With our support, Al Franken is in the strongest position to win the DFL endorsement and general election.

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