Two major unions threw their support today behind a challenger to Rep. Al Wynn, the 14-year incumbent representing Maryland’s 4th Congressional District.
Donna Edwards, who lost narrowly to Wynn in the 2005 primaries, received the backing of the Service Employees International Union and a local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers.
The UFCW endorsement represents a move away from Wynn, whom it supported in his 2006 congressional victory. Neither candidate received an endorsement from SEIU during that election.
The unions join a growing list of liberal organizations backing Edwards, including Maryland’s Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and the National Organization for Women.
Wynn’s campaign downplayed the endorsements by highlighting its own successes and pointing out the SEIU support came from a handful of local chapters, not the entire organization.
“We’re very pleased with our endorsements,” said Lori Sherwood, Wynn’s campaign manager. “We have overwhelming broad-based support from the labor movement.”
Sherwood cited backing from the Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, the Washington D.C. Building Construction and Trade Council, and Montgomery County’s firefighters union.
Representatives for the unions praised Edwards’ support of “living wage” campaigns to raise the minimum wage as well as her work done on behalf of preventing domestic violence.
Maryland’s 4th District has elected Democrats since 1987.
4th Congressional
» Area: The district comprises portions of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, stretching along the eastern edge of D.C. and into areas north and northwest of the city.
» Population: 661,651
» Black: 57 percent
» White: 30 percent
» Latino: 8 percent
» Median household income: $57,727
» High school graduates: 86 percent
Source: Staff reports
