The Philadelphia Ironworkers Local 401 announced that they are backing Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith in the state lieutenant governor’s race.

Local 401 represents structural and architectural iron workers spread throughout Philadelphia.

“Mark Smith is the best candidate in the Lieutenant Governor’s race,” said Joe Dougherty, Business Manager for Local 401. “He’s an energetic and progressive leader.  He has a proven record of standing up for middle class workers in Pennsylvania and is a trusted friend of organized labor.  Ironworkers Local 401 stands with him to become our next Lieutenant Governor.”

Smith has much support from labor unions spread throughout the state, most of them located in NEPA. Smith has received backing from the Boilermakers Union Local 13, the Wilkes-Barre Building Trades Council, the Scranton Building Trades Council (SBTC), Lehigh Valley Building Trades Council, Teamster Local 529, Wilkes-Barre Heat and Frost Insulators, the Sheet Metal Workers Local 44, and IBEW Local 163, 182, 1319, 126 and 81.

“I am extremely humbled to receive support from the members of Ironworkers Local 401,” said Smith.  “Organized labor is the backbone of the middle class and I’m proud to stand with them in their fight for better pay, wages, and benefits.”

The endorsement comes as Democratic candidates participating in statewide races prepare for the State Committee and Endorsement Meeting this weekend. At the meeting, the Democratic party will hold a meeting to determine an official endorsement. Though it’s unlikely that they would make a decision, it’s expected that many of the candidates will attend and attempt to gain more party establishment support.

Smith faces State Senator Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia), former Congressman Mark Critz, State Rep. Brandon Neuman, Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski, and Harrisburg’s parks and recreation director Brenda Alton in Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.