AFSCME Local 1733 on Monday endorsed Democratic candidate JB Smiley Jr. to be the next Tennessee governor.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the largest trade union of public employees in the United States. The group “believes that every person working to sustain their community deserves respect.”
“Councilman Smiley will continue the efforts that the sanitation workers of AFSCME Local 1733 started in 1968. During that year, we went on strike and Dr. King lost his life fighting for improved wages, fringe benefits, and better working conditions,” Adrian Rogers, president of AFSCME Local 1733, said in a statement. “Councilman Smiley understands there is much more work to be done in order to truly live out the dream that Dr. King started. We believe he will carry that commitment to the governor’s office.”
AFSCME Local 1733 has continued to work to create change in our communities for civil, labor and human rights. I am humbled by their support and the confidence that they placed in me to carry the banner for working men and women throughout the state of Tennessee.#unionstrong pic.twitter.com/imtkcWhU0U
— JB Smiley, Jr., Esq. (@jbsmileyjr) June 20, 2022
“AFSCME Local 1733 has continued to work to create change in our communities for civil, labor, and human rights,” Smiley said. “I am truly humbled by their support and the confidence that they placed in me to carry the banner for working men and women throughout the state of Tennessee.”
In addition to the local union’s endorsement, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris also recently endorsed Smiley.
The Tennessee Star previously reported Smiley announced he was running for governor in September. As a member of the Memphis City Council, Smiley is the chair of the Public Works, Solid Waste and General Services Committee and the vice chair for the Economic Development, Tourism & Technology Committee. He also serves as the council liaison for the Urban Art Commission and the Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission.
Republicans have held the Tennessee gubernatorial seat since 2012. The GOP also controls both Tennessee U.S. Senate seats, the majority of the congressional districts, and a supermajority in both chambers of the General Assembly.
Tennesseans will vote on November 8th to elect the next governor of Tennessee.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “JB Smiley Jr.” by DeMarris Manns.
