FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2008
Portland – Democratic
U.S. Senate Candidate Steve Novick today
received the endorsement of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, American
Federation of Teachers Local 3544. GTFF’s endorsement breaks with AFT-Oregon,
the state affiliate chapter that has endorsed Novick’s opponent, Jeff Merkley.
“We are proud to declare our support for Steve
Novick in the Democratic primary,” said Keith Appleby, GTFF
Vice President for Political Education. “Steve's honesty, integrity, and
straight talk are key to beating Gordon Smith in the fall. Our members are
excited by his clear progressive credentials and vision and we’re ready to do
our part to make sure he’s elected to the U.S. Senate.”
GTFF represents over 1,300 Graduate Teaching Fellows and
Research Assistants at the University
of Oregon in Eugene.
Members of Federation plan will propose a resolution at the upcoming AFT-Oregon
convention asking for the full state chapter to support Novick in the primary
election.
“It is a real honor that the GTFF members felt so strongly
about my grassroots campaign that they were willing to buck the state
leadership to show their support. And as a U.
of O alum, I know that with
fighting Ducks on your side, you can’t lose,” said Novick. “With the support of
Pete Sorenson, Tony Corcoran, the Cottage Grove Blackberry Pie Society and many
more, I know that Lane County
will be Novick country in upcoming primary.”
