Rep. Mark Critz continued his strong performance among labor unions today. He picked up the support of the Beaver-Lawrence Central Labor Council, which is centered in the part of the district represented by his primary opponent, Rep. Jason Altmire.
All four labor councils within the 12th Congressional District have now voted to recommend endorsement of Critz to the Pa. AFL-CIO, which meets to vote on an endorsement at the end of March. It is very likely that Critz will get the nod.
“We know that workers can count on him to stand up for them,” said Labor Council President Rick Galiano. “Mark Critz made creating and protecting jobs his top priority in Congress and he has consistently fought to make sure that China plays by the same rules as we do.”
“The fact that the two labor councils in my opponent’s current Congressional District are supporting me demonstrates that I have the strongest record of fighting to create jobs and standing up for working men and women,” Critz added, referring to the fact that the Allegheny County Labor Council is also backing his candidacy.
The Beaver-Lawrence recommendation process is in part a mathematical equation. A significant number of their voters were already bound to Critz because of his endorsements from regional and statewide labor unions, such as the United Steelworkers and the Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania.
Critz will need a strong effort by labor in order to defeat Altmire, who represent 66 percent of the newly drawn 12th district. Internal polling by both campaigns shows Altmire with a double-digit lead and he lead Critz by $350,000 cash on hand at the end of 2011.
Loading ...
4 Responses
John: It was said by others I know that Mr. Altmire had already checked out on New Castle due to redistricting. It makes sense I guess. I will check out Ms. Eaton. Even our local talk radio host expressed on the air his frustration at how Altmire has not been available when called and that Altmire can expect the same treatment should he call the station during campaign season. I do hope Mr. Altmire gets “redistricted” back to the private sector this November.
Next January, New Castle will not be in Altmire or Critz’s district (assuming one of them wins the November election). Elect Missa Eaton for your new district if you would like to see the people represented. Or, if you want someone even worse for you than Altmire, vote for the incumbent.
Darek: Altmire was probably doing a K Street fund-raiser with BIG HEALTHCARE! The voting public is still waiting for the Altmirecare plan for affordable healthcare from this self-described courageous healthcare expert. We’d just like to see a little more courage!
The New Castle postal facility is closing and it is certainly NOT because Rep. Altmire did all he could to prevent it. Mr. Altmire was slow to react to pleas for his help from the beginning and he followed up with neither he, nor a rep from his office, attending the public hearing by the USPS on closure last December. Our mayor, state Senator, and county commissioners were all represented and supporting the workers and residents of the area. Union leaders were there telling the crowd to contact their congressman, that he’s the only one that can help. When I called his office the next day and asked why he nor a rep was there the reply I received was, “what good would it have done?” Now, nearly 200 well-paying jobs are leaving the city, a city in Act 42 distressed status already resulting in a considerable loss of tax revenue and possibly more vacant homes as families may be forced to relocate thus increasing the burden on those left behind, an increasingly elderly population. In my opinion, and with all due respect, Mr. Altmire should lose this election if for nothing more than this. He let down the city, the hard-working New Castle postal employees and their families, and he does not deserve to be re-elected.