Phil Mendelson, Democratic Candidate for
At-Large Councilmember in the
September 10, 2002 Primary
Press release on endorsements
July 29, 2002

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For Immediate Release
July 29, 2002 
Contact: Phil Mendelson
Phone: (202) 486-3871

Diverse Endorsements Continue to Roll In;
Mendelson Adds Ward 2 Democrats, Teamsters Joint Council 55 and Friends of the Earth Action to Growing List of Endorsements

(Washington, DC) - In the course of a week Phil Mendelson gained the endorsements of the Ward 2 Democrats, Teamsters Joint Council 55, and Friends of the Earth Action for his reelection as At-Large Councilmember. 

"Throughout my first term on the Council I have listened to and acted on the concerns of all communities," said At-Large Councilmember Mendelson. "These recent endorsements, and others I've received, reflect the diverse nature of issues in which I've been involved and the support I have gained as I seek reelection. I am the only candidate in this race with endorsements from Democratic organizations in Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 7 and Ward 8, the only candidate to be endorsed by organized labor and the only candidate with support from the environmental community."

Speaking on his union's endorsement of Mendelson, John Catlett, president of Teamsters Joint Council 55, said, "Phil Mendelson has been an effective and vocal supporter of Teamsters, and a leader when it comes to advocating labor issues on the DC Council. In particular, he has been a solid supporter of our members working in the DC Public School System and for the DC Board of Education. Phil's dedication and initiatives benefit workers and working families throughout DC."

Dr. Brent Blackwelder, president of Friends of the Earth Action had this to say about Mendelson's environmental record, "For years, Phil Mendelson has worked for the people of Washington, DC, on issues related to protecting and cleaning up the environment." He went on to say, "DC faces serious air quality problems, the ongoing loss of trees in the city, and problems addressing the transportation needs of Washington and the greater metropolitan area. Phil Mendelson has worked for more than two decades as a neighborhood activist and lawmaker, and is a true leader on these and other critical environmental issues."

The Ward 2 Democrats' endorsement, that of Teamsters Joint Council 55, and Friends of the Earth Action are the latest additions to the growing list of organizations backing At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson's bid for reelection. Mendelson continues to be the only At-Large Council candidate to receive the support of organized labor. Of the four Democratic Ward organizations to have held endorsement meetings, Mendelson has captured all four (2, 3, 7 and 8). Also, on Earth Day 2002 the Sierra Club announced its endorsement of Mendelson. In May 2002, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club endorsed Mendelson, and DOCPAC, on behalf of doctor members of the D.C. Medical Society, voted to endorse Mendelson. 

For more details on organizations endorsing Phil Mendelson's campaign for reelection, please visit http://www.reelectphil.com/endorsements.html.