You would think you would want the endorsements before GOTV weekend, but the Judy Chu campaign rolled out a series of endorsements in the past 48 hours. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) endorsed Dr. Chu yesterday and appeared with her at a GOTV rally. And today, Chu announced endorsements from Congresswoman Diane Watson (CA-33) and the United Farm Workers. Previously UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta had endorsed Chu, but prior to today, the UFW had endorsed Gil Cedillo, so this is a very surprising reversal.
“Judy Chu has always been a champion and friend to farm workers and working class families everywhere. When farm worker Asuncion Valdivia died after toiling in the extreme heat of the Central Valley for hours on end and was denied adequate medical care by his employers, Judy proposed legislation that would ensure such a tragedy would never happen again,” said Arturo Rodriguez, UFW President. “Today, California’s workers are entitled to mandatory shade, rest, and water breaks thanks to the law Judy helped pass. It is because of her dedication to the health and well-being of our members that the United Farm Workers of America proudly endorse Judy Chu for Congress!”
Considering how late in the game it is, something has to be getting these endorsers off the fence and into Chu’s column, especially with respect to the Farm Workers, who appear to have reversed their endorsement. Maybe it’s Gil Cedillo’s vindictive, ugly campaign.
I don’t think it will matter to GOTV efforts, but it’s a telling sign when the players start lining up at the very end of the game.
…Sen. Cedillo still has the UFW endorsement on his website.
UPDATE by Dante: The endorsement by UFW is, according to Judy Chu Press Secretary Fred Ortega, a dual endorsement. The UFW endorsement of Gil Cedillo was not withdrawn. Said Fred Ortega: “The endorsement is yet another sign of Judy Chu’s crossover appeal, and she is very proud to have the endorsement of the organization founded by Cesar Chavez to protect the rights of predominantly Latino workers.”