750,000-member union joins historic labor coalition for experienced legislator Shankland.

STEVENS POINT, WI – The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a national union representing 750,000 federal workers across the country, has endorsed experienced Democratic State Rep. Katrina Shankland for Congress in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.

The organization joins a historic coalition of 20 labor endorsers for Shankland, representing workers across the public sector, private sector, and trades. Endorsers include:

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO
AFSCME Wisconsin Council 32
Alliance for Retired Americans
American Federation of Government Employees
American Federation of Teachers–Wisconsin
Association of Flight Attendants–CWA
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers of Wisconsin 
Fire Fighters Locals 425 and 484
IBEW Wisconsin State Conference
Iron Workers Locals 383 and 512
Sheet Metal, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 18
SPARC AFT Local 6506
Teamsters BLET Wislb
UFCW Local 1473
United Auto Workers Region 4
United Steelworkers District 7
Wisconsin Education Association Council (NEA)
Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association

In endorsing Shankland, Jason Anderson, AFGE District 7, National Vice President, wrote:

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing more than 750,000 government employees, is proud to endorse your campaign for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Already in your campaign, you have shown yourself to be a great advocate for our members, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with you.

On the issues that our members care deeply about, you have presented a thoughtful ear and full-throated support. Your advocacy for protecting the rights of working people will ensure that government workers at all levels will have safe and secure workplaces, reliable federal funding, and strong legislative support for our nation’s most vital needs. You have run on a platform that seeks to keep our nation’s government running effectively and reliably for the American people.

In particular, your support for federal workers’ unions and collective bargaining rights sets you apart from so many of your future colleagues in Congress. A workers’ right to organize and bargain is fundamental to a strong middle-class. You have shown up for our workers in your campaign, and AFGE will show up for you in your election.

It is time for the working people of Wisconsin to kick Derrick Van Orden out of Congress and elect a true ally for working families in his place. You will be that ally, and you have our support. Thank you for all you do for our members and for our country.

In her race to defeat MAGA extremist Derrick Van Orden, Shankland has now amassed endorsements from scores of leaders and organizations embracing her message of working with anyone to get things done for Wisconsin.

In addition to labor, these include leading environmental groups, the League of Conservation Voters and Clean Wisconsin; major national organizations, End Citizens United, MoveOn, Social Security Works, United Rural Democrats, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee; neighboring members of Congress Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Betty McCollum (MN-04); former Congressman Dave Obey (WI-07); and more than four dozen state and local elected officials, including a sweep of all state legislators from the district who have endorsed in the race.

Head-to-head polling shows Shankland is the only Democratic candidate who beats Van Orden in the general election this November, 48-46%.

Katrina Shankland is a state representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly. In the Legislature, Katrina has passed 225 bipartisan laws, including increased access to affordable rural healthcare, help for farmers, expanded protections for first responders, and stronger clean water laws. Katrina is running for Congress to bring some common sense to the Capitol, fight against extremism, and deliver results for the hard-working people of Wisconsin. She is willing to work with anyone — Democrats or Republicans — to get things done for Wisconsin. For more, go to katrinashanklandforcongress.com.