REPUBLICAN JIM ABELER WINS PRIMARY IN 48B THANKS TO STRONG SUPPORT FROM LABOR
Union members turned out voters to make sure that working families are still represented in Minnesota’s Republican Party
ST. PAUL (September 11, 2008) - Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and other unions knocked on
doors, sent letters, made phone calls, and turned out voters to make sure that
working families are still represented in Minnesota’s Republican Party.
"Jim Abeler faced a tough primary in 48B,
particularly because his own party turned their back on his years of hard work
and service." said Amy Bodnar of the SEIU MN State Council, "We met this
challenge and contacted nearly 2,400 union members to ensure that he would
succeed in his primary."
After standing up to his party, and voting
to override the Governor on the Transportation Bill, a bill that put thousands
of Minnesotans to work, Jim Abeler was abandoned by the Republican Party in
district 48B, who endorsed radical conservative Don Huizenga. Facing a tough
primary battle, Abeler was able to rely on SEIU and other unions, to make sure
that he will be on the ballot in November so he can continue to fight for
working families in his district and throughout the state.
"Jim Abeler has consistently represented
the values of SEIU members. He cares about, and is committed to working for the
issues that affect us, like healthcare reform and improving public schools."
said Dan Hanson, a truck driver for the Anoka-Hennepin school district, and a
Republican member of SEIU Local 284, in a letter sent out on Abeler’s behalf
urging union members to vote for him in the primary, "Jim and I go to church
together, and I can personally vouch for his character, both as a legislator,
and as a person."