Chelsa Wagner's county controller campaign issued a list of labor endorsements today in the runup to upcoming votes by the Dem committee and the county Labor Council.

No surprise here, as her uncle Jack also courted a good deal of union support in his gubernatorial run last year.

Full news release after the jump:

Chelsa Wagner Announces First Labor Endorsements in Race for County Controller
Building Trades, Steelworkers, Firefighters, Transit Workers and more unify behind Wagner

Contact: J.J. Abbott, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chelsa Wagner, current State Representative and candidate for Allegheny County Controller, is pleased to announce significant endorsements from labor unions across Allegheny County, representing thousands of Allegheny County working families.

This makes Wagner the only candidate for Allegheny County Controller to announce labor endorsements in the three-way race. Today’s announcement comes just days before the Allegheny County Democratic Committee and Allegheny County Labor Council will endorse candidates for the 2011 primary election.

"I am humbled to receive endorsements from labor unions representing a broad and vast network of Allegheny County workers and voters," said Representative Wagner. "Our campaign has been focused on building a broad coalition of support and labor plays a key role in the future of our county and party."

The endorsements announced today for Chelsa Wagner are:

• Pittsburgh Building and Construction Trades Council
• Pittsburgh Firefighters Local #1
• Laborer’s District Council of Western PA
• Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters
• United Steelworkers of America, District 10
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #5
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local #66
• Ironworkers Local #3
• Amalgamated Transit Union Local #85
• Steamfitters Local #449
• Plumbers Local #27

Two prominent labor leaders echoed the support of their fellow labor leaders in endorsing Chelsa Wagner to be Allegheny County’s next Controller:

Michael Dunleavy, Business Manager of I.B.E.W. Local No. 5:
"Chelsa Wagner has demonstrated to us that she has a keen understanding of the issues facing the working men and women of Allegheny County. Her strong work ethic and record of accessibility makes her well suited for the challenges facing the next Controller.”

Philip Ameris, President-Business Manager of the Laborers District Council of Western PA: "Chelsa has proven herself as a candidate for working familes. Her record speaks for itself, so it is my honor and privilege to have her as our endorsed candidate for Allegheny County Controller."

The endorsements are considered a significant boost in the race and a vote of confidence in one of the strongest segments of the Democratic electorate. Labor will select its endorsed candidates Friday and the Democratic Committee endorsement vote will take place on Sunday at the IBEW Local 5 Hall in the South Side.

##