Government workers union backs Kihuen for Congress

By Megan Messerly

Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 | 9:34 a.m.

State Sen. Ruben Kihuen secured an endorsement today from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in his bid for Congress.

Kihuen, describing himself as the “son of a union family,” said he was humbled by the endorsement and would continue to fight for workers’ rights.

“We know strong unions are the backbone of a prosperous middle class,” Kihuen said in a statement.

Kihuen is in the thick of a four-way Democratic primary to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy.

AFSCME is the ninth labor union to endorse Kihuen, who is also backed by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. The union represents 1.6 million members nationwide and thousands in Nevada.

“Ruben Kihuen has been tireless in his efforts, standing up for our members and their families time and time again, and we are proud to stand with him in his run for Congress,” said Harry Schiffman, president of AFSCME Local 4041.

Hardy has held the seat since he defeated the Democraticbincumbent Steven Horsford in 2014. When Horsford declined to run for the seat in March, others jumped at the chance, including former Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, former Assemblywoman Lucy Flores and philanthropist Susie Lee.