AFL-CIO Endorses Lunsford

The Kentucky branch of the AFL-CIO announced their endorsement of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford on Monday, after local union representatives converged in Frankfort to choose favored candidates on Saturday.

Lunsford won the endorsement over six Democratic opponents. The endorsement was his second from a major union organization. He earlier gained the support of the Change to Win member unions, which include the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the SEIU.

“I’m proud to receive the support of another organization that fights for working families all across Kentucky,” said Lunsford in a Monday news release. “We share the common goals of reducing health care costs, creating more jobs, and getting our economy back on track.”

For Lunsford, the race for the nomination is his third attempt to win a statewide primary. He previously sought the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2003 and 2007. During last year’s race, the AFL-CIO declined to endorse any of the gubernatorial candidates, including Lunsford and eventual winner Steve Beshear.

Greg Fischer, a first-time candidate shown by his camp’s internal numbers to be polling closest to Lunsford, had hoped for the support of the statewide AFL-CIO after recently winning the endorsement of a chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.

“Based on the support I had going into the [Saturday] meeting, I know it must have been a difficult decision for many,” said Fischer in a statement released Monday. “Participating in this process has made me a better candidate and […]I look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with Organized Labor to make Kentucky’s working families strong again.”

Dan Coleman, campaign manager for Louisville physician Mike Cassaro, noted the AFL-CIO’s selection of Lunsford was anticipated by some.

“Obviously, we were disappointed with the results, but they were not a huge surprise,” said Coleman. “[Cassaro] will continue to work with independent labor organizations to earn their support.”

The winner of the Democratic Senate primary earns the chance to face well-funded Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell, who is seeking his fifth term.

The AFL-CIO also announced its favored candidates for three U.S. House seats. Unopposed in the Democratic primary, incumbents John Yarmuth from the 3rd district and Ben Chandler from the 6th received endorsements. State Senator David Boswell also won the union's support for his Democratic primary effort against Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire in the 2nd district left open following the retirement of Republican member of Congress Ron Lewis.