AFSCME Endorsements for SF City Council

The city of Santa Fe’s largest union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, has announced its support of five candidates running for City Council in the March 6 municipal election.

They are: Houston Johansen in District 1; Elizabeth “Dolly” Lujan in District 2; Marie Campos in District 3; and Bill Dimas and Carol Robertson-Lopez in District 4.

“We had very long discussions. We met. We interviewed. We analyzed their questions and we made our endorsements based on all of the issues we felt were important,” said Dan Esquibel, the chair of AFSCME’s political action committee, which made the decision.

Those issues includes smart growth, the importance of local businesses to Santa Fe’s economy and their affect on working families and a commitment to fighting for good jobs and “a sustainable economic recovery that will rebuild a strong Santa Fe,” Esquibel elaborated in a press release.

AFSCME”S candidates also “exhibit qualities that represent AFSCME’s fundamental values that promote all labor within the City of Santa Fe,” he said.

Esquibel told the Journal the union will donate money to its candidates, though he doesn’t know how much. AFSCME’s Santa Fe chapter has about 700 members.