Labor power backs a Republican for eastern Washington congressional seat

A Republican state lawmaker who opposed several major labor-backed bills last session has won the support of Washington’s largest federation of unions in her bid to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, received the endorsement of the Washington State Labor Council, a federation of 600 local unions representing 550,000 workers, on May 18. So too did Democrat Carmela Conroy, a former Spokane County deputy prosecutor and United States Foreign Service diplomat.

The decision reflects the labor council’s commitment to building independent political power that isn’t tied to a party, said Osta Davis, the organization’s political and strategic campaigns director.

“We do consider how candidates fit their district. We want to encourage both Democrats and Republicans to push a pro-worker agenda,” she said. Maycumber and Conroy each grew up in a union family and demonstrated an understanding of issues that matter most to union members, Davis said.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/05/25/labor-power-backs-a-republican-for-eastern-washington-congressional-seat/