L.A. County workers union endorses Sheila Kuehl in supervisor’s race

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the region’s largest union voice, gave its official “enthusiastic” endorsement of former state lawmaker Sheila Kuehl in her campaign for Los Angeles County supervisor.

Rank-and-file members representing a range of organized workers across the county -- including teachers, lifeguards, nurses, bus drivers and grocery and hotel workers -- voted to give the endorsement, the union said in a prepared statement.

“Sheila clearly brings the strongest level of experience and commitment to solving the most pressing issues facing L.A. County’s working families,” said Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the federation.

The group noted that Kuehl served in the state Assembly and Senate for 14 years, and has been an educator and civil rights activist for more than two decades.

“She’ll work hard to keep the county fiscally on track while improving access for residents to the services that keep our neighborhoods safe and healthy,’’ Durazo said.

Kuehl and former Santa Monica City Council member Bobby Shriver, both Democrats, are seeking Zev Yaroslavsy’s nonpartisan seat on the Board of Supervisors in the Nov. 4 election. Yaroslavsky is retiring due to term limits.

Shriver also sought the County Fed’s endorsement. He’s been backed by a trade union and by several groups representing business interests. The L.A. County Federation of Labor represents about 800,000 workers countywide.

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