February 28, 2008

Tracey Brooks, Congressional candidate in the Capital Region’s 21^st District, today received the endorsement of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Union Local #2 NYS, the first major union endorsement of any candidate in the race to replace retiring Congressman Michael McNulty.

“The Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union Local #2 NYS proudly endorses Tracey Brooks for Congress in the 21^st Congressional District,” announced Bob Mantello, President of BAC Local #2. “Tracey Brooks is someone our local chapter can count on because she has a proven track record of consistent and strong support of issues important to our members and the local economy.”  

“I am truly honored to have the support of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and to be the first 21^st Congressional District candidate to receive union support,” said Brooks. “I will continue to fight for the working families of the Capital Region and take that fight to Washington, pushing for more investment in local jobs and higher wages for our local workers.”

Pat Tirino, Secretary Treasurer of BAC Local #2, added: “Tracey Brooks has worked with labor over the years, she has listened to us and we know that when she goes to Washington she will be a strong voice for the hard working people of the Capital Region.” 

As a lifelong resident of the Albany area and the Capitol Regional Director for Senator Hillary Clinton for the last three years, Brooks enters the race with working knowledge of the problems facing the region’s diverse workforce and experience in finding solutions to them.

Brooks has spent much of her time since announcing her candidacy visiting with laborers, small business owners, manufacturing companies, technology learning centers and working families across all seven counties of the District talking about the issues that matter most to people.  

“I’m focused on the serious issues people in the 21^st Congressional really care about like ending the war in Iraq, stimulating our local economy and passing meaningful legislation that will bring more jobs, broader health care coverage and a better quality of life for all the people of the Capital Region.”