Democratic candidate Charlie Crist solidified major support from labor in his bid to be the next Governor of Florida with endorsements from the AFL-CIO and SEIU unions.
The Florida AFL-CIO voted in a landslide to formally endorse Charlie Crist for Governor. The Florida AFL-CIO represents 500 local labor unions, 10 councils, and over 1 million union members, retirees, and their families across the Sunshine State. A few weeks ago, Crist was surrounded by local SEIU union workers and joined by SEIU Florida Public Services Union President and SEIU Florida Treasurer, Alphonso Mayfield, to receive their endorsement.
Crist has also been endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees, United Food and Commercial Workers 1625, and the Communication Workers of America. Crist also collected the support of the Florida Education Association and educators across the state.
“Our teachers, our tradesmen, our state and municipal workers, these folks are the backbone of our workforce in Florida. And right now their freedoms, their freedom to organize, their freedom to advocate for better pay and better benefits, are under attack by this administration,” said Crist. “I am so honored to have the AFL-CIO’s support. Together we are going to take this state back for our working men and women. It’s all on the line in November — the freedom to form a union, reproductive freedom, the freedom from politics in our classroom — and that’s why we are going to win.”
His campaign says the endorsements unite the Florida House of Labor behind Crist, providing an advantage in the Democratic primary election. Crist said it is another reason he is “far and away the best candidate” to defeat Republican incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis.
“I’m incredibly grateful to receive the support of SEIU Florida and their 55,000 members,” said Crist. “As our Sunshine State faces an unaffordability crisis, Floridians deserve a leader in Tallahassee who will fight for better wages, better working conditions, and a better tomorrow for our working families. These essential workers help power our hospitality industry, airports, hospitals and more. Their voices will be heard this November and beyond when we make Ron a one-term governor.”
“We’re in a crucial moment in our state, and moments like this require leadership,” said Alphonso Mayfield, President of SEIU Florida Public Service Union. “We have an economy that’s not working for Floridians, we have an elected official who thinks it’s more important to run for another office and not focus on the needs of Floridians, and we have legislators that won’t work together in service of affordable housing, better paying jobs, and driving down property insurance prices. We need someone in the office of governor who is going to stand on his convictions. We need someone who is not going to lead from division, tearing people apart, and then pinning person against person. We need someone who is willing to put all Floridians above his personal needs and to chart a course that’s in the best interest of all. It is my honor and pleasure today to announce SEIU has endorsed Charlie Crist as our nominee for governor of the great state of Florida.”
