During May, Local 848 members had opportunities to speak with the candidates that are seeking labor's endorsement in the November elections. All of the candidates were invited to the Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) convention in Irving May 8-9, and a good many of them showed up to speak to union leaders from all over the state.
UAW-CAP rep Ron Spurlock introduced Texas AFL-CIO President Emmett Sheppard to UAW delegates
The November race is exceedingly important for working people. Texas AFL-CIO President Emmett Sheppard told the UAW Caucus at the COPE conference that the Supreme Court is expected to overturn the Texas redistricting plan associated with discredited Congressman Tom DeLay. He said that the Court's remedy could be anything, but might include going back to the old districts when several of labor's candidates could still be elected to Congress.
Gubernatorial
candidate Chris Bell listened to what Local 848's Gary Tessmar had to say at
a political event in Dallas
Union people put candidates through a lot of tough questioning at the COPE conference, then discussed it among ourselves before deciding on endorsements. There is more coverage of the Texas COPE convention on http://labordallas.org/txendors.htm. here are the statewide candidates endorsed on May 9:
U.S. Senate: Barbara Radnofsky
Governor: Chris Bell
Lieutenant Governor: Maria Luisa Alvarado
Attorney General: David Van Os
Comptroller: Fred Head
Land Commissioner: Jerry Patterson
Agriculture Commissioner: Hank Gilbert
Railroad Commissioner: No Endorsement
Texas Supreme Court Place 2: Bill Moody
Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals: J R Molina