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Election Recommendations 2010
Carpenters endorse Jerry Brown for Governor
After careful consideration of all the candidates, the Regional Council’s Executive Committee has approved the following list of recommendations. All of these candidates have a strong track record of support for carpenter issues. We recognize that there are many factors you will think about as you decide how to cast your vote.
When we consider which candidates to endorse, we look at their record on carpenter issues- support for prevailing wage, overtime, and health and safety among them. In this economy, we also review their support for creating jobs, and putting carpenters back to work. All the candidates in this list have been there for carpenters, when we needed them. Now it’s time to reward our friends- by showing up and voting.
Jerry Brown has a long history in California politics. After serving as the youngest governor in the state’s history, he went on to serve as mayor of Oakland, and currently serves as the attorney general. While he hasn’t always agreed with us on every issue, Brown has always been a strong supporter of prevailing wages, and has demonstrated time and time again his support for workers’ right to organize.
As attorney general, he has been very aggressive in cracking down on the underground economy and employers who cheat their workers. When he spoke at the UBC General Convention in 2005, this is exactly what he promised he would do. We need someone with integrity and experience to lead California in these challenging times, and Jerry Brown is that person.
Lieutenant Governor- Gavin Newsom
As mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom has worked closely with the carpenters to create and sustain job-training programs, and to put people to work. In the current slowdown, he has come up with innovative ideas to speed up private projects, and members of the Carpenters In Action have attended a couple of rallies in support of his efforts. As lieutenant governor, he will sit on several state boards and commissions that will play key roles in creating work for us.
Attorney General-
No Endorsement
There are a number of good candidates in this race, and several have a history of support for carpenters’ issues. Rather than choose between friends, the Regional Council is making no endorsement in the primary.
Treasurer- Bill Lockyer
Bill Lockyer has a long relationship with the Carpenters Union, and he has always been there for carpenters. After serving as the state’s attorney general, he is running for a second term as treasurer. In this position, he is responsible for maintaining the state’s bond rating, so that the infrastructure bonds we supported in past years can be sold, and the money used to fund projects that will put carpenters back to work.
Controller- John Chiang
John Chiang is running for re-election as state controller, the office responsible for paying the bills of the state. During last’s year’s budget crisis that threatened to put many members out of work, he played a key role in keeping the money moving while the crisis was ironed out. He has been and continues to be accessible, and is a strong supporter of Carpenters’ issues.
Secretary of State-
Debra Bowen
Although the secretary of state does not have much to do with construction, Debra Bowen has helped make it easier to register to vote, and to vote by mail, two things our union strongly encourages members to do. In addition, she has improved the way the state shares information about campaign finance and voting patterns, which help us evaluate candidates throughout the state.
Insurance Commissioner- Dave Jones
As an assembly member representing Sacramento, Dave Jones has established a solid track record on Carpenters’ issues. As insurance commissioner, he will be a strong ally against fly-by-night contractors who try to cheat Workers’ Comp.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction- Tom Torlakson
Tom Torlakson is another candidate who has always been a friend of the carpenters. His background as a school teacher before first being elected to local office gives him good experience to draw on for this position. His strong support for vocational education, including partnering with our union to prepare students to be successful in our apprenticeship program, makes him the obvious choice for union carpenters. |
