Scott Powers
Democratic congressional candidate Val Demings has gained the endorsements of the Service Trades Council group of unions representing Walt Disney World workers and specifically the United Food and Commercial Workers, her campaign announced Friday.
Demings, a former Orlando police chief, is running in Orlando-based Congressional District 10, in a Democratic primary field that includes state Sen. Geraldine Thompson of Orlando, businessman Bob Poe, and lawyer Fatima Rita Fahmy.
The Service Trades Council is a coalition of six unions that negotiates contracts in unity with Disney on behalf of 38,000 workers ranging from hotel maids to costumed character actors.
Among the six is the The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1625, which offered an individual endorsement for Demings.
CD 10 is represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Webster of Winter Garden. But through last year’s redistricting, the district has switched from being a Republican-leaning district to one that is solidly Democratic. Webster now is openly considering switching to another district, most likely Congressional District 11.
Walt Disney World is in CD 10.
UFCW Local 1625 President Ed Chambers, who chairs the Service Trades Council, stated in a news release issued by the Demings campaign: “Chief Val Demings has an indisputable record of fighting for workers throughout Central Florida. While serving as Orlando’s Chief of Police, she always had our backs, and we are proud to have hers. Val not only fights, but follows through. We are proud to stand by her side and look forward to her continuing to fight for us in Congress.”
