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Illinois UAW region withdraws Rashid endorsement, votes to back Foster

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Illinois

* Background is here if you need it. Russell Lissau at the Daily Herald…

An Illinois-based, regional office of a powerful labor union for autoworkers has rescinded its endorsement of the candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Naperville in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 11th Congressional District and instead is backing the incumbent, the group announced Thursday morning.

The UAW’s reversal is a blow for challenger Qasim Rashid, who just last week had announced the union’s endorsement to reporters and on social media. The UAW had been the most prominent group to endorse Rashid’s bid to topple Foster from the post he’s held since 2013. […]

The regional UAW’s members voted to change their endorsement in the race Thursday night. Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell attributed the earlier support of Rashid by the Ottawa-based group to “some miscommunication in our internal democratic process.”

“The UAW is excited to endorse Bill Foster for Congress,” Campbell said. “Foster’s efforts to save, and build upon, thousands of Illinois jobs (in Belvidere) is just one of the many reasons that working families should join the UAW in support of Congressman Bill Foster.”

Hilarious. Rashid probably shouldn’t have bought a non-American car a few months ago. Also, on a purely hardcore political level, if an organization goes out of its way to stiff elected officials and others who went out of their way to help them, as happened with Foster, then maybe other folks won’t be so eager to stick their own necks out in the future.

* From a Foster spokesperson…

Congressman Foster will always fight for American workers because it’s in his DNA. He started a company with his brother when he was 18, and they refused to ship those Midwest manufacturing jobs to China to make more money for themselves. The campaign is thrilled to be recognized by the voice of working people - members of Organized Labor - for his commitment to fighting for good paying, American jobs.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 7, 24 @ 11:14 am

Comments

My neck hurts, must be whiplash.

Comment by Proud Sucker Thursday, Mar 7, 24 @ 11:33 am
An Illinois-based, regional office of a powerful labor union for autoworkers has rescinded its endorsement of the candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Naperville… the group announced Thursday morning.

Lots of Democrats vote early or by mail - this is a bit late for them.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Mar 7, 24 @ 11:43 am
The initial endorsement of Rashid was a head-scratcher. The endorsement process for unions and other organizations typically begins with a look at the incumbent’s record on key issues; if the incumbent’s voting record meets a threshhold, the endorsement is pretty much a given. If not, challengers get a look and, in many cases, the incumbent and challenger(s) are interviewed. Foster’s record should have resulted in an endorsement from the get-go.

This is not just a union thing.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Mar 7, 24 @ 4:34 pm
===This is not just a union thing. ===

Rumors about some petty grievances being aired, but nobody wants to go on record.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 7, 24 @ 10:21 pm