3299 Endorses Leland Yee for San Francisco Mayor
Yee Lands Another Major Endorsement for Mayor
AFSCME’s national president lauds Yee as a champion for kids, health care, the poor.
SAN FRANCISCO – One week after landing the first major endorsement in the race for San Francisco Mayor, Leland Yee has again won another key endorsement. This week, Yee was unanimously endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the largest public service employee union in the nation. Last week, Yee was also overwhelmingly endorsed by the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council.
With 1.6 million members nationwide and over 180,000 within California, the AFSCME endorsement means potentially huge numbers of volunteers and financial support for Yee’s campaign.
In addition, AFSCME represents thousands of active members who reside within San Francisco from several local unions including Local 3299 representing University of California workers; Local 829 representing county workers; Local 2620 representing state health and social service professionals; and the Union of American Physicians and Dentists.
“Leland Yee has not only been a longtime champion for AFSCME members, he has often been a lone voice in standing up for the most vulnerable in our society – children, victims, the poor, and those with mental illness,” said Gerald W. McEntee, AFSCME’s national president. “Leland’s work to provide greater government transparency and accountability is unmatched by any legislator in the country. Leland Yee was unanimously endorsed by our California PEOPLE board representing every affiliate and he is our only choice for Mayor of San Francisco.”
“It is truly an honor to be early endorsed by such a dedicated and principled group of public servants,” said Yee. “Together, we have fought the egregious compensation scandals at UC and helped pass the nation’s best open government laws. I am proud to stand with AFSCME and I look forward to their help in this race for mayor.”
“The early endorsements from AFSCME and the building trades are a true sign of the strength of this campaign and the confidence workers have in Leland Yee,” said Jim Stearns, Yee’s campaign consultant. “Working families are looking for a mayor who can help create jobs, protect our city’s health care system, and improve the economy, and Leland is clearly their choice.”
What other AFSCME leaders and members are saying:
“Leland Yee gets things done and that’s why we want him to be the Mayor of San Francisco. San Francisco families need a champion to fight for them. Leland has done that in the Legislature. He has voted consistently to protect seniors, students and deliver critical services to our communities.” – Willie Pelote, AFSCME California Director
“While we are going to miss Leland Yee in the State Senate, his city needs and deserves his leadership in City Hall. He has always stood by us and fought to bring accountability to the University of California. It is that kind of work ethic and commitment that is also needed in San Francisco.” – Lakesha Harrison, AFSCME Local 3299 President and California Labor Federation Vice-President
“I have watched Leland Yee in the Legislature for the past several years, only wishing he could be here in San Francisco to lead our city. I want a mayor who will help keep my family here in San Francisco and who will help ensure there are jobs and affordable housing for my children to raise their families – Dr. Yee is the only acceptable choice for Mayor.” – AFSCME member Mark Farrier, a worker at UC Hastings and a San Francisco resident
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Yee immigrated to San Francisco at the age of 3. His father, a veteran, served in the US Army and the Merchant Marine, and his mother was a local seamstress. Yee graduated from the University of California – Berkeley, then earned a Ph.D. in Child Psychology, and later served in various mental health and school settings. He and his wife, Maxine, have raised four children who all attended San Francisco public schools. Yee has served in the State Legislature, Board of Supervisors and Board of Education.
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