Cordray gets endorsement of AFL-CIO, Teamsters and UAW

Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray (D-Grove City) received the endorsement of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Teamsters and United Auto Workers for Ohio Attorney General because of his "long history of supporting working families," according to UAW Region 2B director Lloyd Mahaffey.

The organizations, taken together, represent more than 1 million active and retired Ohio workers.

"I have known Rich Cordray for a long time, and our members have supported him for a long time," Mahaffey said. "In fact, UAW Local 969 on the west side of Columbus, was the first union to endorse Rich in his initial run for the State House. Our active and retired members know he is a person of integrity, a hard worker, and completely committed to fairness and justice for workers and our families."

Ohio Conference of Teamsters president Roger Insprucker said the organization was backing Cordray because he shows "the same kind of integrity and honesty" as Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon).

"Rich is a stand-up guy we can count on," Insprucker said. "We are confident he will always do what is right for the people of Ohio."

Meanwhile, Ohio AFL-CIO president Joe Rugola said union members have worked for and voter for Cordray in the past because of the qualities he has shown throughout his public life.

"He is honest, bright, hard working and experienced," Rugola said. "We have counted on him during every step of his career - from local government to the State House to the Ohio Treasurer's office - and we have never been disappointed. I am proud to support Rich Cordray and to stand here today with the UAW and the Teamsters to pledge to do everything it takes to help him win this fall."

The AFL-CIO represents more than 800,000 active and retired workers, while the Teamsters has over 80,000 Ohio members and the UAW Region 2B has 160,000 active and retired members in Ohio.

Cordray is running as the Democratic nominee for Ohio Attorney General in November to finish the term of former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann (D), who resigned in May amidst scandal.