DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, February 27, 2006 6:00 pm
Gov. Dave Heineman has gained the endorsement of 17 labor unions in the Republican gubernatorial primary election.
Membership in those unions totals about 30,000, Heineman’s campaign manager, Carlos Castillo, said Tuesday.
“The governor has blue-collar roots and his economic development efforts have focused on growing good, high-paying jobs for Nebraska workers,” said Mark McColley, business manager of Steamfitters Local 464.
“We had a great working relationship with Mike Johanns and we see many of the same attributes in this governor,” McColley said.
“He might not always agree with us, but he keeps an open mind and always has an open door.”
The endorsements were unveiled at a news conference in Omaha.
“I am pleased to be considered a partner to Nebraska’s work force,” Heineman said.
“I can tell you without hesitation that one of the strongest tools available for recruiting new businesses and encouraging existing business expansion are the Nebraskans who show up to work on time every day and give their personal best out of pride for a job well done.”
The governor has made job creation and job training focal points of his economic development strategy, Castillo said.
The new jobs creation economic incentive package Heineman signed into law last year made targeted investments in both areas, Castillo said.
Among other unions endorsing Heineman in his GOP primary contest with Rep. Tom Osborne and Omaha businessman Dave Nabity were Electricians Local 22, Ironworkers Local 21, Laborers Local 1140, Machinists Local 31, Electrical Workers Local 1974, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 271 and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 251.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.