Local Unions Throwing Support Behind Democrat Cavanaugh For County Executive

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Detroit's largest coalition of unions is endorsing Democrat Phil Cavanaugh for Wayne County Executive. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25 leaders made the announcement Monday afternoon in downtown Detroit.

The AFSCME said that Cavanaugh will make sure Wayne County residents have the first opportunity to work on county construction and maintenance projects and has the right vision for the county. Al Garrett, President of AFSCME Council 25, spoke on behave of the union on Monday.

"If you know the vision that Phil has, you too will be endorsing Phil Cavanaugh." Garrett said.

Cavanaugh is a current state representative hoping to unseat Bob Ficano and said that he will fight to avoid an emergency manager.

"Just two weeks ago, the county found $225 million -- that's disgusting that people have to lose their home and kick their kids out of school, the prosecutor has to run across the country fundraising when the county actually has money," Cavanaugh said.

Cavanaugh said that he will take the fight for a new county jail "to the streets."

"On the new jail project, we've spent $170 million -- and there it sits," Cavanaugh said. "Everybody thinks that we need to push it out to Mound (Correctional Facility). I say we need to build it."

The metro AFL-CIO has also shown its support for Cavanaugh in the primary race. Union officials, like metro AFL-CIO President Rick Blocker, said they interviewed all of the candidates, and Cavanaugh rose to the top.

"I've never heard one complaint of Phil not being there for working people or working people issues," Blocker said. " He's a true Democrat, which is important for me as we are going to do everything we can to get rid of Rick Snyder."

Incumbent Robert Ficano, former sheriff Warren Evans, Westland mayor William Wild and County Commissioner Kevin McNamara are also in the Democratic primary. The primary election is August 5th.