SEIU Minnesota Members Back Iraq War Veteran Ashwin Madia for Congress in Third Congressional District

Healthcare, Public School Service and Property Service Workers Ready to Fight for Change in Washington, Urge DFL Delegates to Endorse at April 12 Convention

Citing the exciting opportunity to elect a candidate who is an adamant supporter of Minnesota's working families, members and leaders of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Minnesota State Council today announced their endorsement of Ashwin Madia for Congress in Minnesota's Third District.

"Ashwin Madia is the best candidate for the Third Congressional District," said psychotherapist LaDonna Meinecke, member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. "Ashwin is a strong proponent for working families in Minnesota, and his experience as a veteran of the war in Iraq means that he has first-hand knowledge of the toll that this war has taken on our troops, their families, and the economy here at home."

In making the endorsement decision, State Senator Terri Bonoff, Mayor Jim Hovland and Ashwin Madia met with union leaders and participated in a Labor Forum that SEIU members helped to organize.  State Representative Eric Paulsen declined to participate in the endorsement process.

 "Members of SEIU across this country work hard every day to achieve the American Dream for their children, and Ashwin Madia is living proof that this dream is still alive and well in America," said Julie Schnell, president of the SEIU Minnesota State Council and SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. "Ashwin represents change when our country so desperately needs it, and members of this union are ready to work hard to get him elected in November."

"Ashwin will continue to attract voters who want a responsible end to the war in Iraq, who want to put our economy back on the right track, and to bring the people of this country together, rather than the current political climate that tears them apart," said Javier Morillo-Alicea, vice president of the Minnesota State Council and president of SEIU Local 26. "Unlike his Republican opponent, Madia is the right sensible moderate on social, economic, and foreign policy issues."

The SEIU endorsement activates an aggressive grassroots political effort. Hundreds of SEIU members will be taking time off of their jobs or volunteering after work and on weekends to go door-to-door, work the phones, distribute worksite leaflets, and mobilize their communities to go out and vote for Madia.

 "There is an enormous amount of grassroots energy around Ashwin Madia," said Frank Miskowiec, political director of SEIU Local 63. "Our best hope for changing this country is electing a candidate who will fight every day to improve the lives of working people, and our best hope for that change is Ashwin Madia."

SEIU in Minnesota includes more than 14,000 hospital, clinic and nursing home workers (SEIU Healthcare Minnesota), over 8,000 bus drivers, food service and other public school service employees (Local 284 and Local 63), and almost 6,000 property service workers (Local 26).  SEIU is united with more than 28,000 members statewide and is a powerful voice for Minnesota's working families.