The Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council last week formally endorsed U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., who is seeking a fourth term.
Mayor Cherelle Parker and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, of New Mexico, were among those on hand for the announcement, which took place at the union hall at 4170 Woodhaven Road.
Other speakers included building trades business manager Ryan Boyer, former Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO president Pat Eiding and Wayne Miller, business manager of Sprinkler Fitters Local 692.
Others in attendance included Bob Brady, chairman of the Democratic City Committee; state Sens. Tina Tartaglione, Jimmy Dillon and Sharif Street; City Councilmen Mike Driscoll and Jim Harrity; Councilwoman Rue Landau; state Reps. Pat Gallagher and Ed Neilson; City Controller Christy Brady; city elections commissioner Lisa Deeley; and legislative candidate Sean Dougherty.
Casey faces Republican Dave McCormick, whom Boyer referred to as “this guy from Connecticut,” and three minor-party candidates.
“He does not have Pennsylvania values,” Boyer said.
Parker recalled buying Doritos and Swedish Fish when she was younger, complaining that products like them are smaller these days. She called it “Shrinkflation.” She praised Casey for supporting the infrastructure bill that brought what she said was much-needed money to SEPTA and funds for a hydrogen hub that will create 20,000 jobs in the region.
Lujan referred to Casey as “good people.”
Casey said the building trades endorsement is as big as any he’ll get in the campaign.
If re-elected, he plans to support the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would strengthen employees’ right to collectively bargain. The bill was first introduced in 2019.
“We’re going to pass the PRO Act,” Casey said.
Casey opposed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, saying it benefited big corporations and billionaires and increased the debt. He expects a similar bill next year if Donald Trump is elected president and Republicans control the Senate.
“My opponent has already signed up for it,” he said.
In the next term, Casey wants to pass a middle-class tax cut and make America energy independent.
Democrats control the Senate 51-49 but are certain to lose the race in West Virginia and are in trouble in Montana. They need a Casey victory to have any chance of holding the Senate.
“We’re going to beat those billionaires on Election Day,” Casey said. ••
