Democrat Gretchen Whitmer has secured the endorsement of a 14,000-member labor union days after U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee decided not to run for governor in 2018.
The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights backed Whitmer Thursday — a positive sign for her campaign as it seeks to coalesce support.
Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mike Jackson calls Whitmer, a former legislative leader from East Lansing, a "proven fighter" who "has been in the trenches on the side of skilled trades workers countless times."
The union credits her for leading Capitol protests when Republicans enacted right-to-work laws.
The other visible Democrat in the race is Abdul El-Sayed, former head of Detroit's health department. University of Michigan regent Mark Bernstein, president of his family's well-known personal-injury law firm, is considering a run.
