NEW LONDON, CT—32BJ members today announced their endorsement of Ken Gucker for election to Connecticut Senate in the 24th District and of Jeff Tomchik for election to the Connecticut House of Representatives in the 138th District, as well as of Representative Bob Godfrey for re-election in the 110th District. The members endorsed all three candidates in these crucial districts in Danbury and environs to help win a higher minimum wage and more full-time hours for Connecticut workers next year.
Both Ken Gucker and Jeff Tomchik would bring a mixture of new vision and experienced leadership to the seats. Renowned auto reparation expert, Ken Gucker won his place on both the Democratic Party and Working Family Party tickets for his decades of activism to protect local communities against environmental and developmental degradation, and for his support of issues crucial to working families. His opponent, meanwhile, gained notoriety for his introduction of a “birther bill” in the State Senate and for fighting to limit workers’ ability to collectively bargain for their own betterment.
“As a small business owner, I understand the needs and challenges of our hard working men and women, and am therefore honored to receive the endorsement of 32BJ,” Ken Gucker said. “I support raising the minimum wage to one a modern family can live on, and easing the tax burden on working families. I will ensure every worker has respect and a voice in the work place and the state capitol.”
A candidate on both the Democratic Party and the Working Families Party tickets, Jeff Tomchik earned his endorsement for his work as firefighter and EMT, for his community service, and for his activism as a union leader with the firefighters. Representative Bob Godfrey, likewise, has demonstrated his commitment to working families throughout his 12 terms at the State Capitol, where he has served the district in which he was born as both representative and Deputy Speaker.
“Our members are supporting candidates who are committed to tackling issues that affect working people,” said 32BJ Connecticut District Assistant Supervisor Alberto Bernardez. “Bob Godfrey has always demonstrated that commitment, and both Ken Gucker and Jeff Tomchik are committed to our efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and provide more full time work. We are proud to endorse all three for the working people of Danbury and surrounding towns.”
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With more than 145,000 members in 11 states and Washington DC, including over 4,500 in Connecticut, 32BJ is the largest building service workers union in the country