Carpenters Union endorses Chafee, several Democrats

August 31, 2010

Projo Politics Blog
By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Lincoln D. Chafee has scored another union endorsement in his campaign for governor: Carpenters Local 94, a building trades union representing about 2,200 private-sector workers and retirees in Rhode Island has endorsed the independent candidate for governor.

All but one of the Carpenters' other endorsements went to Democrats.

For example, the union also endorsed Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts and Secretary of State Ralph Mollis for reelection, Smithfield Councilman Stephen Archambault for attorney general, Gina Raimondi for state treasurer, former state Democratic Party Chairman Bill Lynch for Rhode Island's open 1st Congressional District seat, incumbent James Langevin for reelection as the state's 2nd District congressman, and John Lombardi in the contest to succeed Mayor David Cicilline in Providence.

But the union also endorsed Republican Scott Avedisian for reelection as mayor of Warwick.

Some, but not all, of the endorsements were previously announced by the candidates.

A statement issued by the union on Tuesday said the endorsements, voted in late July, resulted from an "unprecedented member-driven process.''

"In this tough political and economic climate, we put it back to our membership to dig in and really get involved with the political process. They rose to the challenge, sitting through many interview sessions in order to find those candidates that we feel will put the state back on the right track, and the members back to work,'' said David Palmisciano, the local president and district business manager.

Throughout the interview and vetting process, questions centered on each candidate's plans for job creation and the enforcement of construction industry laws and regulations.

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Linc Chafee is a tested leader of unquestioned integrity and a strong independent voice. As Governor, he will work hard to create new jobs, rebuild our economy, solve our chronic budget problems, end corruption, and forge a new way forward for Rhode Island.