MOMENTUM FOR LOCKE GROWS WITH NEW ENDORSEMENTS
Recent Endorsements Show the Broad Coalition of Support Needed to Win
Houston, TX—Fresh off of winning the first major debate of the campaign, the Latino Summit debate, as well as outperforming all other candidates for mayor in the recent campaign financial reporting period, the Gene Locke for Mayor campaign today announced several significant endorsements.
Influential local labor unions have endorsed Locke as the next mayor of Houston, including the Communications Workers of America Local 6222. They join the International Longshoreman Association, Locals 24, 28,1351,1438,1530 and 2022, as well as Teamsters Locals 988, 968 and Teamsters Joint Council No 58.
“Gene finds a way for business and labor to work hand and hand to bring jobs and opportunities to our city. We know he will be a great mayor and that is why we have endorsed Gene Locke to lead the city of Houston,” said Clyde Fitzgerald, President of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the International Longshoreman Association.
The Harris County AFL-CIO declined from endorsing any one candidate in the race for mayor, but instead endorsed Locke and two of his opponents, both of whom currently serve in elected office and have enjoyed the AFL-CIO’s endorsement in their previous races.
The Locke campaign also proudly touts the endorsements of several heavy-hitting business organizations and Political Action Committees, including the “C” Club, Houston Apartment Association Better Government Fund, and the Greater Houston Builders Association’s HOME-PAC.
The Houston Business Realty Coalition, formerly the Houston Realty Breakfast Club announced their endorsement of Locke in May.
“The “C” Club strives to endorse a candidate that wants to be elected to
take on the task at hand. With tough economic decisions ahead for our
city, we need a mayor with a fiscally conservative agenda,” said J. Mace Meeks, President of the “C” Club. “We believe Mr. Locke is that candidate for Houston."
“I am deeply honored and humbled to have the endorsements of such a cross section of the business and labor communities,” said Locke. “It shows that my message of opportunity and prosperity resonates with all Houstonians despite ideology, geography or industry.”
The election for the next mayor of Houston will be November 3, 2009.
Why They Support Gene Locke as the next Mayor of Houston
“We have three great candidates running for Mayor of the City of Houston but only one candidate stands out above the rest and that person is Gene Locke. Communications Workers of America Local 6222 is proud to endorse Gene Locke because he has the leadership, vision and the skill sets to build a consensus among Houstonians and to do what is right for the city. He has the ability to be as comfortable working with the CEO's of the largest corporations in the city as he is with working with the labor unions. This is what Houston needs in its next mayor.”
--Claude Cummings, President of Communication Workers of America Local 6222
“The International Longshoreman Association is proud to endorse Gene Locke. Gene is a true friend to all three Houston locals 24, 28 and 1351, and he has worked hard to represent ILA. But Gene has been more than just a friend, he has been a leader, advisor and d most importantly, a consensus builder to the labor movement. Gene finds a way for business and labor to work hand in hand to bring jobs and opportunity to our city. We know he will be a great mayor and that is why we have endorsed Gene Locke to lead our great city.”
--Clyde Fitzgerald, President of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the ILA
“The City of Houston requires someone with strong leadership and guidance to move us into the next century. Teamsters Local Union No. 988 recognizes Gene Locke valiant service to our city and is confident he will succeed as our next mayor.”
--Robert Mele, President/Business Manager of Teamsters Local Union No. 988
“The ‘C’ Club strives to endorse a candidate that wants to be elected to
take on the task at hand. With tough economic decisions ahead for our
city, we need a mayor with a fiscally conservative agenda. We believe Mr. Locke is that candidate for Houston."
-- J. Mace Meeks, President of the “C” Club
“Our industry is important not only to us, but it is important to the future and growth of Houston. Gene Locke’s policies are most clearly aligned with our industry and our objectives. His outlook on the role government should play in the future of Houston presents our industry and our city with the greatest opportunity for growth.”
-- Stacy Hunt, Treasurer of the Houston Apartment Association Better Government Fund
“Gene has a personal and professional background that uniquely qualifies him to be the next mayor of the City of Houston. He is the only candidate in the race who has the leadership, vision and experience needed to bring growth and to create jobs in our city. Houston is one of the strongest, most affordable homebuilding markets in the nation. Gene understands our issues and we appreciate his determination and willingness to keep the cost of homeownership affordable for Houston’s citizens.”
--Jim Holcomb, chairman of HOME-PAC of the Greater Houston Home Builders