A Washington-based union with members in suburban Maryland endorsed Rep. Donna F. Edwards' campaign for Senate on Wednesday, becoming the first labor group to back the Prince George's County lawmaker's bid.
"She has walked picket lines with our workers and consistently stood up for Maryland families, regardless of which direction the political winds are blowing," Tommy Ratliff, president of Teamsters Local 639 said in a statement. "In the Senate, we can count on her to fight bad trade deals and give Maryland families the good jobs and fair wages they deserve."
The endorsement represents one of the first by labor in the high-profile campaign. Edwards' opponent, Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Montgomery County, picked up the support of the Baltimore-based Teamsters Joint Council No. 62 in April.
Edwards and Van Hollen are running to replace Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, who will retire in 2017.