The Florida AFL-CIO on Sunday endorsed Congressman Kendrick Meek, the Democratic frontrunner for the U.S. Senate nomination, and rejected an appeal from Gov. Charlie Crists independent campaign for the office.
Meek now has the backing and organizational support from a group that represents more than 500,000 Floridians and more than 500 locals across the state.
Working people in Florida need a fighter, a leader who will work for their issues everyday, said Meek after winning the AFL-CIO endorsement. My fight is your fight, and today I stand humbled and proud to have earned your support.
The AFL-CIOs backing of Meek brought praise from the Florida Democratic Party.
This news is a huge blow to lifelong Republican Charlie Crist's opportunistic attempts to transform himself once again, said Democratic spokesman Eric Jotkoff. Just like Floridas labor leaders and working families saw this weekend, Crist is nothing more than a typical politician who will say or do anything to win and further his ambitions. This fall Floridians of all stripes will reject our incumbent Governors do-nothing approach.
Meek had already won the AFL-CIO endorsement over the other candidates in the Democratic primary, including billionaire investor Jeff Greene and former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre.
Meeks need for the endorsement was reinforced Sunday morning when the results of a new St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald/Bay News 9 poll was announced showing Meek with the backing of 15 percent of Floridians, compared to Crists 30 percent support and Republican Marco Rubio's 27 percent.
Crist had attended the AFL-CIO endorsement convention in Jacksonville Friday and personally asked for the union's support, saying his campaign needed its backing.
Next day, Meek gave a rousing speech, asking for the AFL-CIO's backingin personal terms. I need you to be with me, said Meek. Im asking you to fight, scratch, bite and do what you have to do to help me win.
Meek also took shots at Crist, telling union members that the governor was inconsistent on issues important to organized labor.
Crist did not leave the weekend convention empty-handed. The Florida Education Association co-endorsed both Crist and Meek for the U.S. Senate race.
The tight race for the Democratic attorney general between Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, and Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, saw no advantage gained by either candidate during the weekend meetings.
Just as it had in the U.S. Senate race, the Florida Education Associationendorsed both candidates. On Sunday, the AFL-CIO decided to defer and endorse the winner of the primary.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859
