Press Release: Attorney General Candidate Alberto Torrico Earns Major New Labor Endorsement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

***PRESS RELEASE***

Attorney General Candidate Alberto Torrico Earns Major New Labor Endorsement

Endorsement by San Bernardino Public Employees Association further strengthens Torrico as the choice of California labor

Sacramento, CA – The Torrico for Attorney General campaign today announced that the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA) has given its endorsement to Torrico in the race to be California’s next Attorney General. The SBPEA joins other major unions including the Operating Engineers Local 3, one of California’s most powerful unions, and the Contra Costa County Building and Construction Trades Council in supporting Torrico.

This significant new endorsement is part of an emerging pattern of strong labor support for Torrico across the state. A former workers’ rights attorney, Torrico has the longest record of support for organized labor among the candidates for Attorney General. From his first days in office, he has stood firm to safeguard the rights of California workers, repeatedly standing up to Governor Schwarzenegger to protect the rights of union members. His long record of service has given him the strongest relationships among this key Democratic constituency.

Bob Blough, General Manager of the SBPEA called Torrico “a guy who fights for the workers,” saying, “San Bernardino County public employees are supporting Torrico for AG because he knows what it’s like to work hard and struggle. He’ll fight to protect workers’ rights and make sure that our voices are heard.”

Torrico welcomed the endorsement saying “I’m so proud to be given this vote of confidence by the SBPEA. I grew up working side by side with my parents as a janitor. I even paid my way through college that way. I get where working Californians are coming from and the issues that matter to them – like making house payments and affording health care. As AG, I’ll do everything within my power to protect working Californians.”

In addition to earning the support of top labor groups in California, Torrico has emerged as the top candidate for Attorney General among rank-and-file law enforcement because of his long history working with public safety personnel. Torrico has been endorsed by the 62,000-member strong Peace Officers Research Association of California, the state’s largest law enforcement organization, as well as by the California Professional Firefighters that represents more than 30,000 firefighters statewide.

Torrico, whose brother is a veteran San Jose Police Officer, has also earned the endorsement of Operating Engineers Local 3, Alameda Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association, Fresno Police Officers Association, Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association, Los Angeles School Police Association, Oakland Police Officers Association, Ontario Police Officers Association, Sacramento Police Officers Association, San Bernardino Employee Safety Association, San Diego Deputy Sheriff's Association, San Joaquin Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, San Jose Police Officers Association, Santa Clara Deputy Sheriff's Association, Santa Cruz Deputy Sheriff's Association, Santa Cruz Police Officers’ Association, Solano Sheriff's Custody Association, Sonoma County Law Enforcement  Association and the Stockton Police Officers' Association.