The following announcement was provided by Daniel Lander for State Senate:
The AFL-CIO of Massachusetts has endorsed Daniel Lander’s campaign, marking the first time in years that the organization has endorsed against an incumbent in a democratic primary. The endorsement spotlights Daniel’s commitment to the labor movement, but also highlights Senator Brownsberger’s opposition to supporting unions in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts AFL-CIO represents over 800 local unions representing nearly half a million union members across the state. It comes at a critical time in this race, days from the start of early voting, and makes clear that voters are ready to move past the failed Beacon Hill status quo.
“The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is proud to endorse Daniel Lander for state senate. Daniel is committed to improving the lives of working class families. He shows up for working people — from fighting for better
public transit and investing in the construction of new housing, to walking picket lines with union
members. Daniel is passionate about creating a fair economy that grows the middle class and protects the union jobs that provide workers the lives they deserve. He understands the importance of centering the needs of working people in public policy and will work with unions to advocate for and advance our priorities,” said Chrissy Lynch, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.
“I’m so proud to earn the support of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO in this race. From fighting for a 40-hour workweek to winning workplace safety protections that save lives every day, organized labor is responsible for many of the labor protections that we take for granted,” said Daniel Lander. “I am challenging the architect of the broken status quo on Beacon Hill, which has failed working people again and again. In the state Senate, I will always fight for working people unlike my opponent. I’m thankful for the AFL-CIO’s support, and I look forward to partnering with labor to build a Massachusetts where working people can build good lives.”
Unlike Senator Brownsberger, supporting working people has been a key focus of Daniel’s campaign. He has joined striking nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, teachers fighting for fair contracts in Belmont and Cambridge, and graduate workers striking for fair pay and protections. Daniel has used his campaign to support workers in tough contract fights in every part of the district.
His opponent, Senator Brownsberger has long been an enemy of organized labor, from killing his own staff’s attempts to unionize on Beacon Hill to attempting to gut public employee pensions. And, in July, during the largest nurses strike in state history, Senator Brownsberger said that “Almost no experienced legislators think it’s a good idea for them to be out in the picket line or jumping into the middle of collective bargaining fights.”
This major endorsement follows closely on the heels of three Watertown City Councilors who last week flipped their endorsements to Daniel Lander, emphasizing his support of working people and bringing down costs Daniel Lander is running for the State Senate to take on the broken status quo and make Beacon Hill work for the people. He grew up in this district and has worked alongside progressive leaders like Senator Elizabeth Warren, Stacey Abrams and Mayor Michelle Wu. Daniel believes Massachusetts can be more affordable and a great place to build a good life. He will tackle the housing crisis, work to transform the MBTA and stand up to the Trump administration.
Daniel Lander has been endorsed by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Michelle Wu, Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Mass Alliance, IBEW 2222, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, UAW Region 9A, AFSCME Council 93 Boston Presidents Committee, UFCW 1445, SEIU-NAGE, SEIU 888, Unite Here Local 26, and NEJB-UNITE HERE.
The Suffolk and Middlesex District includes all of Watertown, Belmont, as well as the Fenway and Allston Brighton neighborhoods of Boston, and west Cambridge. Learn more about Daniel Lander at www.daniellander.com