AFSCME Endorses Mark Dayton for Governor

Council 5’s Executive Board voted Oct. 24 to endorse Mark Dayton for governor of Minnesota.

“Mark is devoted to public service, like AFSCME members are,” says Council 5 president Mike Buesing. “He wants our wealthiest citizens to pay their fair share of taxes so we can afford the vital public services that Minnesotans want and need during tough times.”

“It has been 20 years since we have had a governor who promotes public services and supports the workers who deliver those services,” says Council 5 executive director Eliot Seide. Dayton is the best candidate “to champion investment in the services we deliver, and the best candidate to win this critical election,” Seide says.

“During my nine years heading three state agencies,” Dayton says, “I worked with many dedicated AFSCME Council 5 members. I know that we share the same commitment: Providing the best possible public services to the people of Minnesota.”

Dayton is the only candidate to win statewide election twice – as state auditor, then U.S. senator. He has been commissioner of Economic Development, commissioner of Energy and Economic Development, a social worker and a teacher.

Full participation: Executive Board members made their endorsement after they, local officers and activists interviewed all 10 DFL candidates, plus Pat Anderson, the only Republican to accept AFSCME’s invitation. The screening came two weeks after the campaign’s first televised debate, in front of 900 Council 5 convention delegates in Duluth.

“I am very proud of the process that we used to come to this momentous decision,” Seide says. “Now the hard work begins.”

For more about Dayton’s candidacy, see Council 5’s website.