A Public Advocate for Working Virginians

Today, the Signer campaign released a YouTube video that shows our online strength and overwhelming support from the netroots.  Much like the Obama campaign in 2008, our campaign has made online organizing a central part of the race. 

The video gives a side-by-side comparison of the numbers of YouTube videos, Twitter followers, Facebook fans of each campaign in the race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.  Netroots leaders endorsing Mike  include: Ken “Teacherken” Bernstein at Blue Commonwealth and The Daily Kos, Ben Tribbett at NotLarrySabato.com, Lowell Feld at Blue Virginia, Aimee Fauser at New Dominion Project, Adam Sharm at New Dominion Project, Riley Murray at Blue Ridge Data, Mark Brooks at Heartland of Virginia, and Eileen Levandoski at VB Dems. Check out what they're saying about us at www.mikesigner.com/netroots

ARLINGTON, VA – The Mike Signer campaign is pleased to announce the endorsements of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Coalition Local 5016, the DC Building Trades Council and all ten locals of the United Transportation Union of Virginia have endorsed Mike Signer for lieutenant governor.
    “The Fairfax Deputy Sheriff's Coalition, Local 5016 is proud to endorse Michael Signer for Lt. Governor in the Democratic Primary on June 9,” said Kevin Pittman, president of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Coalition Local 5016, “Mike's vision of turning the office of Lt. Governor into a public advocate rather than a place holder and his introduction of bold initiatives into this race has made him the best candidate to support. In addition to his vocal support of the Employee Free Choice Act, Mike introduced a jobs plan that will strengthen our economy and help keep police and deputy sheriffs on our streets ensuring Virginia citizens remain safe everyday.  As Lt. Governor, Mike will stand with the men and women in uniform who protect the citizens of Fairfax and our Commonwealth everyday he is in office.”
    “Mike has shown an enthusiasm for protecting workers’ rights,” said Walter Yeatts, legislative director of the United Transportation Union of Virginia. “He has surrounded himself with people who have fought hard for Virginia’s workers. Mike has bravely and publically taken positions that have given us confidence that he too will fight for working Virginians.”
    A full list of endorsing unions follows below.
    “Mike Signer will be a public advocate for working Virginians and this string of endorsements demonstrates this,” said Christian Rickers, campaign spokesperson. “Mike’s strong support from organized labor is one more reason why he is the strongest candidate and best equipped to defeat Bill Bolling in November. Democrats need to elect a true progressive who who will fight for their values to take on Bill Bolling.  Now that this is a two person race, voters have a clear choice between someone who will stand up and fight for their issues and an alternative.”

 
Endorsing Unions

Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Union
Washington, D.C. Building Trades
    Asbestos Workers Local #24
    Boilermakers Local #193
    Bricklayers & Allied Crafts Local # 1
    Electrical Workers Local #26
    Elevator Constructors Local #10
    Iron Workers Local #5
    Operating Engineers Local #77
    Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons #891
    Painters District Council #51
    Plumbers Local #5
    Reinforced Rodmen Local #201
    Roofers & Waterproofers Local #30
    Sheet Metal Workers Local #100
    Sprinkler Fitters Local #669
    Steamfitters Local #602
United Transportation Union of Virginia
 

 Mike stopped by the Washington Post newsroom on Friday. Here's what he said: 

Today, in recognition of Governor Tim Kaine’s designation of Military Appreciation Month, Mike announced his veterans’ policy plan and his Veterans Steering Commitee, which includes endorsements of retired general and flag officers from all four services of the military.   As a member of Barack Obama’s Veterans Policy Development Team, Mike is well versed in veterans’ issues.

With the release of his five-point plan, Mike again is leading the way on policy as the first candidate with a plan to improve services for Virginia’s veterans and their families.

“Fulfilling our sacred contract with our veterans and their families has been a central plank of my campaign from day one,” Mike said. “In Virginia, we have over 206,000 active military and civilian defense workers and over 35,000 Reservists and National Guards members. The problems facing these brave service members and their families highlights Virginia’s need for a lieutenant governor who is a public advocate, working to fix the systems that are failing working Virginians and shining a spotlight on the problems we’ve ignored for too long.”

Mike’s plan has five key goals: improve medical resources, assist returning veterans to reintegrate, increase veteran access to education, improves services for national guardsmen and reservists, and increase support for military families during deployment.   To read the full plan, go to www.mikesigner.com/veterans.
 

Mike is joined by retired and former U.S. military officers as he announces his veterans' policy plan.

MIKE SIGNER FOR VIRGINIA
VETERANS STEERING COMMITTEE

David R. Oliver, Jr., Rear Admiral (Upper Half), U.S. Navy (Ret.)
David Maddox, General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Paul J. Kern, General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Lester Lyles, General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Lee Gunn, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Michael A. Hough, Lt. General, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
Donald C. Staton, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Dick Klass, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Thom Beres, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret); Co-Director, Virginia Veterans for Obama
Terron Sims II, Captain, U.S. Army  (Former); Co-Director, Virginia Veterans for Obama
James Morin, Captain, U.S. Army (Former); Co-Director, Virginia Veterans for Obama
Thomas Brashears, Captain, U.S. Army (Former)
 

The next LG debate will be tomorrow (Sunday) at 6:30 PM.  This debate will be telelvised live and streamed online at www.ustream.tv.  You can submit a question at debate@NoVA.org. 

Mike has led in this campaign with policy and new ideas.  He proposed a debate with his opponents because he believes that voters deserve to hear directly from the candidates on the most critical issues facing our Commonwealth.

Don't miss it! 

Mike Signer was in Richmond tonight opening our new campaign office, which is located at 10 N Robinson Street in Richmond.

Almost 50 people came out tonight to meet Mike and check out the new space.  There was food, drinks, and just old fashioned politicking.  Mike spoke about how he is running to turn the office of Lieutenant Governor from a place holder to a public advocate to shine a spotlight on problems we've ignored for too long.  Our campaign is gaining more and more momentum everyday as we spread our message across the Commonwealth.  Check out the video from tonight's event.