December 8, 2009
Contact: Chris Patterson, JPM&M,Inc.
916-835-3643
Das Williams for Assembly Picks Up Major Labor Endorsements
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Assembly candidate Das Williams reports today that his campaign for the 35th Assembly District has picked up key state and local labor endorsements:
- Laborers International Union of North America – California State Council
- Laborers International Union of North America, Local 220
- Laborers International Union of North America, Local 585
Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 220 and 585 together represent over 2,200 workers in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties. LIUNA State Council represents over 60,0000 workers statewide.
In their endorsements, LIUNA leaders pointed to Das Williams’ long record of creating local jobs, fighting for health care, fair wages, safe working conditions and success in creating affordable middle-income housing in Santa Barbara. They also highlighted his leadership in creating “green jobs” through his work funding energy efficiency projec ts and investing in renewable technologies.
“After taking a close look at the candidates in this race, it was easy to see that Das Williams has the vision and courage to take this District where it needs to go in the years to come,” said David Valenzula, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of LIUNA Local 585. “Das brings real experience and a tested record of getting results on issues across the board – from education to health care, from jobs to the environment, from public safety to the economy.”
Manuel Monsibais, Secretary-Treasurer of LIUNA Local 220 added, “Our members support Das Williams because he is by far the most well rounded and principled candidate in this race. We have seen what he’s done on the Santa Barbara City Council and know he’s got what it takes to help get our state back on track. We are behind Das 100 percent.”
LIUNA State Council, Local 220 and Local 585 now join a growing contingent of labor organizations to have thrown their weight behind Das Williams for Assembly:
- The Santa Barbara Police Officer's Association
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 952
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 413
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 186
- International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
- Ironworkers Local 433
- International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 46
- Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 484
- Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 273
- Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
- UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 114
- University Professional and Technical Employees- Communications Workers of America, Local 9119-4 (UPTE-CWA 9119-4)
“I have always stood on the side of our working men and woman,” said Das Williams. “Even before my tenure as a City Councilman, I worked as community organizer to enact local living wage laws in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.”
“I am so proud to have earned the laborers’ trust and support. I have spent my entire personal and political life fighting for the policies and principals we both share,” added Williams. “I look forward to continuing that fight in Sacramento.”
Das Williams is running to succeed fellow Democrat and termed-out Assemblymember Pedro Nava in 2010.
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Das Williams grew up on the Central Coast and is a product of local public schools. In 2003, Das Williams became the youngest person ever to be elected to the Santa Barbara City Council, and was re-elected in 2007. Das has worked as a teacher, a policy aide for former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, and a community organizer working to stop the development of a Wal-Mart in Ventura and enact local living wage laws in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Das serves on the Peabody Charter School Board and is a national board member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Das received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and holds a graduate degree in Environmental Science & Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
