United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21 announced their endorsement today of Mike McGinn for Seattle Mayor.

“We made this decision because we feel that Mike McGinn is a candidate with a broad range of experience rooted in the local community. The election is about the future of this great progressive city and Mike will do right by our members and help advance the lives of working people,” said Steve Williamson, Assistant to the President of UFCW 21. “Looking closely at his values and the leadership he has already provided, we feel strongly that he would represent working people in our city.”

With membership in excess of 35,000, UFCW Local 21 is the state’s largest private sector union. It represents workers in grocery, retail, and other service industry jobs.

This weekend, our campaign hosted the final six of 18 town halls around the City of Seattle. The town halls followed on the heels of our policy outreach meetings.

McGinn Campaign Trail

Seattle is a great place to live because we care about our city. People’s ideas, what they want to see happen in their city, is the best guiding force in how elected officials should make their decisions.

“Part of Mike McGinn’s inexpensive mayoral campaign strategy has been to make himself available…around the city,” wrote Emily Heffter of The Seattle Times. McGinn spoke with over 1,000 Seattle residents during the town halls and policy outreach meetings.

The town halls were a chance not only for Seattle voters to ask Mike questions, but also a great way for us to hear directly from residents about what they think is important in their community. All too often a barrier is erected between a few decision-makers and those frustrated many who cannot get their voices heard.

The Beacon Hill Blog, after attending the Jefferson Community Center town hall, wrote that “attending a McGinn event is a refreshing change from closely-managed rallies with talking points.”

Thank you everyone for attending these great events. Our all-volunteer campaign depends on the support of Seattle residents. The town halls and outreach meetings are proof that a campaign powered by people is the best way to engage the citizens of our city.

Thanks to all the supporters who showed up to the Crocodile to support Mike and local music. Thanks also to the Maldives, the Presidents (including guest Krist Novoselic), and the Crocodile for a great show.