United Auto Workers endorses Richard Cordray for governor

5/22/2018
BLADE STAFF

The United Auto Workers announced it is endorsing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray. 

The decision was announced this week during a UAW Leadership Conference.  

The union said in a media release that both Mr. Cordray and Betty Sutton, who is running for lieutenant governor, have “a strong record of standing up for Ohio’s auto industry and its workers.” The release went on to credit Mr. Cordray for working to protect workers during General Motors’ bankruptcy and restructuring while serving as Ohio attorney general. Members also commended Ms. Sutton for supporting the “Cash for Clunkers” bill as a congressman.

“During the darkest days of the Great Recession, Rich and Betty went to bat for the auto industry and Americans workers — saving thousands of good paying jobs and protecting communities across Ohio from economic devastation,” Local 12 UAW President Bruce Baumhower said in the release. “We’re supporting Rich and Betty because they’ll take that same approach in office, by standing up to the corrupt special interests that run the statehouse and by working tirelessly to put state government back on the side of middle class families.”

Mr. Cordray and Ms. Sutton are running against Republican Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and running mate Secretary of State Jon Husted. Voters will decide who will be governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, during the general election on Nov. 6.