SILVER CITY — The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees announced its endorsements for candidates in each of Grant County’s Board of Commissioners races. The three candidates receiving endorsement are Alicia Edwards in District 3, Marilyn Alcorn in District 4, and Harry Browne in District 5.
“AFSCME believes that public services are a priority for communities who aim to maintain and build quality of life for its citizenry,” said Manny Maldonado, president AFSCME Local 2516 and Grant County sheriff’s deputy, in a news release. “Economic growth is tied to factors of public safety and community well-being. AFSCME endorses these candidates because they have made the commitment to fight for these priorities, Grant County’s working people, and an open, transparent, and accessible government.”
AFSCME invited all commission candidates to answer a questionnaire, and conducted follow-up interviews with those who responded prior to making endorsements.
“I’m very proud to have earned this union’s support,” said Alcorn, the Democratic candidate in District 4, in the release. “I have been a public employee as a teacher, a corrections officer, and an electronics technician in the Navy, and I look forward to working with our AFSCME employees to improve the efficiency of county government and the wages and working conditions of the employees.”
“AFSCME is one of New Mexico’s strongest and most progressive unions,” said Browne, who is the Democratic candidate in District 5. “They have promoted laws and policies that benefit all New Mexicans, not just their members, and I am delighted to have their endorsement.”
District 3 candidate Edwards echoed this sentiment, saying “I am very pleased to be endorsed by an organization that has done so much for workers and their families.”