Lunsford nabs Laborer's Union endorsement

Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) at today's endorsement ceremony

Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford officially picked up the endorsement of Laborer's Union Local 576 this morning. Lunsford met with union leaders and members at the Local's Louisville headquarters to accept the endorsement.

"This is the latest sign that this campaign is pulling together the working class of Kentucky to take on a Senator that has not done much for the working class in Kentucky," said Lunsford today, referencing incumbent Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville). "He has said 'no' to many things that are important to these people."

Lunsford was accompanied by about 30 of the unions members at this morning's announcement.

The support is the latest in a line of endorsements Lunsford has received from labor unions. Many of the unions that are supporting Lunsford's Senate bid did not back him in his previous runs for statewide office in Kentucky. Earlier in the race, Lunsford picked up the support of the Kentucky AFL-CIO, the Change to Win labor coalition, the UFCW, and the United Mine Workers. Each of those groups did not support Lunsford's 2007 gubernatorial bid.

The Laborer's Union's business manager Roy West indicated leadership met with two of Lunsford's primary opponents - Greg Fischer and Michael Cassaro - but ultimately decided to go with Lunsford after an extended dialogue between the union and the candidate.

"It's a shame we've got three good Democrats running for the same position," said West. "It is this local's opinion that Bruce has the best chance of defeating McConnell in the fall, so that is why we have endorsed him."

"We have spent a lot of time educating Bruce about our wants and our needs," West continued. "If we are not open to change, then we are defeating ourselves. Bruce had a change of heart we did to."

During today's event, Lunsford identified himself with the union members on several occasions - first in reference to endorsements each may have regretted.

"There have been times when [labor leaders] have made decisions that they wish they hadn't made in endorsements. I think they could probably give you a litany of those. I fall in that same category," said Lunsford during his remarks, likely referencing his 2003 endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate Ernie Fletcher - an endorsement he has since apologized for.

Lunsford said this campaign cycle he had the opportunity to meet "openly" with labor for the first time. In doing so, the candidate said he was able to connect with them because of similar experience. Earlier in his remarks, Lunsford said he grew up in a union household.

"What has made me effective in this camp is that I have had an open opportunity to meet with labor for the first time in my public career, because they were always committed to others when I got involved [in the past]," Lunsford told PolitickerKY.com. "My background - how I was raised - is everything these guys live with...I understand this."