AFSCME backs Clark’s congressional bid

Clark at the 2008Regina Medical Center strike in Hastings. Photo: Paul Demko

AFSCME Council 5 — one of the largest labor unions in the state — has endorsed Tarryl Clark in the Sixth Congressional District contest. The announcement comes almost immediately after Elwyn Tinklenberg ended his campaign.

“AFSCME Council 5 is proud to be one of the very first organizations to endorse Tarryl Clark to run against Michele Bachmann in the 6th Congressional District,” said AFSCME president Mike Buesing, in a statement announcing the decision. “Tarryl Clark has been one of AFSCME’s best friends in the state legislature and she has earned our support as a champion for working families.”

AFSCME, which represents government workers, has roughly 5,000 members eligible to vote in the Sixth District. Clark, the state Senate Assistant Majority Leader, is now one of two Democratic candidates seeking to challenge incumbent GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.

UPDATE: Jim Niland, AFSCME Council 5′s political action director, says the timing of the endorsement is coincidental. The union, which backed Tinklenberg in 2008, held its screening for the Sixth District contest last night. Tinklenberg did not show up, so only Clark and Maureen Reed were vetted. Clark was endorsed unanimously. “It was a fairly short conversation,” says Niland. “She’s one of the best friends of labor and working families in the state.”