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Of primary importance: vote on Tuesday, Aug. 3

Date Posted: July 23 2004

The Nov. 2 general election ballot – which will include George W. Bush and John Kerry – will get the lion’s share of attention from U.S. voters this year.

But with many public offices, the most important balloting will take place in the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Primary elections allow voters to decide which party’s candidate will advance to the general election, and in voting districts that are overwhelmingly Democratic or Republican, the primary election is the most important.

A number of building trades union members are on the primary ballot this year, including Doug Bennett of UA Local 174 (candidate for State Rep., 92nd District); L. Patrick Fisk of UA Local 636, candidate for State Rep., 36th District), and Steve Ellery of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1474, running for St. Clair County Commissioner, 5th District.

In addition, no less than three union members are running for seats on the Macomb County Commission: Rick Fast, UA Local 636, 11th District; Tony Caleca, Sheet Metal Workers Local 80, 16th District, and Tom McVicar of the Painters and Allied Trades, 15th District). Tom Chiles of Iron Workers Local 25 is also running for Huron Township Trustee.

Building trades union members are urged to vote for their fellow members who are taking the time to run for public office, and to support other candidates who support the goals of organized labor.