Democrats vie early for labor support

By Nancy Remsen
Burlington Free Press

FAIRLEE — Four of the five prospective Democratic candidates for governor came to the Lake Morey Resort on Saturday to court delegates representing the 9,500-members of the Vermont AFL-CIO — even though the primary and general elections are months away.
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The delegates didn’t mind. Unions want to hear from potential candidates early, said Jill Charbonneau of Middlebury, Vermont AFL-CIO executive vice president. “We want to have our voice shape their campaigns.”

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Earlier Saturday, Racine had promised the delegates the health care bill would be taken up in the committee he chairs in January — which drew applause. He didn’t promise passage and cautioned, “There are a lot of issues to be worked out. It is not going to be easy.”

Racine had come to renew his relationship with the AFL-CIO. He reminded the crowd he had enjoyed their support in past elections. “I have always been there for labor in this state,” he said.

Acknowledging his Democratic competition, Racine said, “A lot of us are going to be talking to you and sort of saying the same thing.” He urged people to consider his record.

All four candidates spoke of their “vision” for the state. Racine said he was on a “mission to restore the middle class to this state.”

Racine was on another mission, too. He was wooing the Vermont Progressive Party.

“If you get their support,” he said, referring to the union association, “it means you are looking out for working Vermonters. It carries beyond the union. It would help me earn the support of Progressives.”[...]

Read highlights from Doug Racine’s address to the Vermont Labor Council »
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