The endorsement lists are growing for both Gov. Dan McKee and his Democratic gubernatorial challenger Helena Buonanno Foulkes with less than one month until early voting begins.
McKee won backing of the 10,000-memberRhode Island Council 94 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees(AFSCME) Tuesday, solidifying his advantage with an influential cross-section of government workers. The federation of active and retired state, municipal and private-sector employees cited McKee’s support for fair contracts for state workers, increased funding for state colleges and universities and “steady leadership” through the pandemic as reasons for its support.
“Governor McKee has always treated public service workers with dignity and respect,” Michael McDonald, president of the federation, said in a statement Tuesday. AFSCME, AFL-CIO. “He has consistently stood with public service workers to defend their jobs, their benefits, and their retirement security.”
Not mentioned in the endorsement announcement: the botched rollout of state software upgrades that led to a string ofpayroll problemsfor state workers, including some members of Council 94. A spokesperson for the council did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
McKee has also gained support from other union groups, including the 6,200-member General Teamsters Local 251, which described McKee as “one of the most pro-Teamsters governors in the country” in its endorsement announcement on July 16.
But theRhode Island AFL-CIOopted to stay neutral in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. The 80,000-member labor federation backed McKee four years ago, following a decadeslong pattern of endorsing the Democratic incumbent governor. Its decision on July 14 not to endorse this year is largely seen as a win for Foulkes, who has maintained a double-digit lead in recent public polls and a sizablecampaign cashadvantage.
Foulkes also added to herrosterof endorsements, securing the Jamestown Democratic Town Committee’s backing on July 16, the Rhode Island Troopers Association on Monday, and the Providence Streets Coalition Tuesday night. The public transit and pedestrian advocacy group has been critical of McKee’s administration forfailure to fullyfund the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and refusing to makecrash data public, among other policies.
“Our next governor must put Rhode Islanders first and ensure every resident and visitor can travel safely and efficiently around our state,” Nicole O’Loughlin, Providence Streets Coalition/Save RIPTA Political Director, said in a statement. “Helena Foulkes stands out in her commitment to this issue.”
Other state general office candidates are also racking up endorsements. Ironworkers Local 37 has backed Kim Ahern in the four-way Democratic primary for attorney general. In the lieutenant governor’s race, Democrat Cindy Coyne received the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters’ backing, while Xay Khamsyvoravong received the Newport Democratic City Committee’s endorsement.
The primary is Wednesday, Sept. 9. Early voting begins Aug. 20.
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