Renee Bowser's labor credentials surpass her rivals in the race
for the Ward 4 Council seat in Washington, DC
The DC Statehood Green Party
http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org
Committee to Elect Renee Bowser
http://reneebowser.com/ward4.php
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
CONTACTS
Renee Bowser, 202-882-1733 (home), 202-997-3193 (cell), renee@reneebowser.org
John Gloster, 202-549-4786
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Renee's supporters challenge endorsement from DC Central Labor Council for an unqualified
candidate, criticizing the secretive endorsement process of public interest groups who are
bypassing a chance to place an uncompromised pro-labor, pro-environmental candidate on Council
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Renee challenges Council's taxpayer-funded handouts to wealthy developers that create few
jobs for DC residents, such as $50 million for developer Abe Pollin for skybox improvements at
Verizon Center
WASHINGTON, DC -- Supporters of Renee Bowser, candidate for the Ward 4 Council seat in the May
1 special election in Washington, DC, are calling attention to Renee's long experience in labor
"It's mystifying that the Washington, DC Metropolitan Central Labor Council gave their
endorsement to a candidate with virtually no labor organizing background, while Renee Bowser
has such a strong record of dedication, experience, and leadership in her work for unions
and for working people in general," said Ward 4 resident David Schwartzman.
"I am the only Ward 4 candidate who does not accept corporate money. I'm free from the
influence of big developers, outside-DC business interests, and other corporate lobbies that are
always seeking favors and taxpayer-funded handouts from Council. If I'm elected, unions
and working people will have an uncompromised voice on DC Council," said Renee
Bowser.
Renee is a union lawyer (Assistant General Counsel for UFCW International Union) and a
former shop steward who has fought for working people for three decades. She has also served
for two terms as a Commissioner on the DC Human Rights Commission, deciding discrimination cases
for DC residents.
AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees) initially endorsed Renee Bowser in
early April, but the endorsement was voided after the Central Labor Council endorsed Muriel Bowser
(no relation to Renee), despite Muriel's lack of experience in labor issues and her acceptance of
thousands of dollars in campaign donations from corporate contributors
whose interests conflict with DC residents and working people. SEIU also
endorsed Muriel Bowser, despite the fact that Renee Bowser has served as a SEIU shop steward.
Renee Bowser's supporters also criticized the Sierra Club for endorsing candidates (Muriel
Bowser in the Ward 4 race) in apparent disregard for the candidates' own positions and experience
on environmental issues.
"Renee Bowser handed in a detailed pro-environmental set of answers to the
exhaustive candidates' questionnaire from the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth," said Mr.
Schwartzman, an environmental scientist and activist. "But these organizations never publish
candidates' responses, so the public has no idea how or why the Sierra Club and FOE arrived
at their endorsements, or if the candidates they endorse will do anything in support of
environmental and public health."
Renee Bowser's responses to the questionnaire can be read on line at
<http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org/testimony/>.
Renee's supporters stressed the importance for labor, environmental, and other public interest
groups of having a member of the DC Statehood Green Party, whose candidates reject corporate
money and influence, on City Council.
In the District of Columbia, Council members loyal to big business contributors have used
taxpayers' money for projects like the new convention center and baseball stadium, which
were built with unfulfilled promises of jobs for DC residents. Renee Bowser has sharply
criticized Council for recently giving billionaire developer Abe Pollin a $50 million
handout in revenue bonds for the renovation of luxury suites and other improvements at Verizon
Center.
"Renee Bowser, if elected to Council, will change the District's political landscape -- to the
advantage of unions, middle- and modest-income working residents, and the health of the DC
environment. With 19 candidates in the race, Renee can win with the help of Ward 4 voters who
care about labor rights, fair wages, and the environment," said David Schwartzman.
MORE INFORMATION
"Top Ten Reasons why Renee Bowser is the most qualified candidate in the DC Ward 4 election"
Press release, April 12, 2007
http://ward4specialelection.org/rbowser/rbowser-top10/view