Top labor group considers endorsing Ellison for Dem Party boss: report

One of the nation’s top labor unions may endorse Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, according to a new report. 

{mosads}Politico reports that the AFL-CIO has asked members of its executive council if the labor group should endorse Ellison. 

“Given that many unions have leaders and rank-and-file members on the DNC and that some unions have already made public commitments to candidates, I felt it was timely for the Political Committee to discuss the possibility of a unified endorsement,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka wrote in the email obtained by Politico.

He added that the organization has heard from Ellison and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley.

“It was clear from the discussion that, to the extent endorsement decisions have been made, Congressman Keith Ellison is the leader. Furthermore, in a straw poll, a strong majority of the Political Committee indicated that the AFL-CIO should endorse Congressman Ellison at this time. For these reasons, only his name appears on the ballot.”

Members of the executive council are given the option to vote for Ellison, abstain or “make no endorsement at this time” by Dec. 6, Politico reported.

Ellison appears to be a favorite of top Democrats and has received the endorsements of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and incoming Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.). 

Ellison has also been endorsed by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees President Lee Saunders, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, the Communications Workers of America and the United Steelworkers, Politico notes.