The state AFL-CIO endorsed a slate of mostly Democratic candidates at its political convention Thursday but, as expected, didn't endorse a candidate for governor.
The union federation endorsed Democratic candidates for federal and statewide offices, including Jack Carter for U.S. Senate; Rep. Shelley Berkley, University Regent Jill Derby and Tessa Hafen for Congress; Robert Unger for lieutenant governor, Ross Miller for secretary of state, Kate Marshall for treasurer, Kim Wallin for controller and Catherine Cortez Masto for attorney general.
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Candidates spoke to the union group Tuesday and Wednesday, and delegates from the more than 120 member unions voted on whether to endorse them Thursday. The unions' votes were weighted according to their membership, with a two-thirds vote necessary to endorse a candidate.
The 60,000-member Culinary union, a local of the international UNITE HERE union, makes up almost half of the Nevada AFL-CIO's membership.
Union officials have said they hope to endorse the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary rather than risk dividing the union between the major contenders, Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson and state Sen. Dina Titus. Both spoke to the convention Wednesday.
In the state Legislature, the union endorsed most Democratic incumbents or challengers with a couple of notable exceptions. Rather than endorse incumbent Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce, D-Las Vegas, the federation endorsed primary challenger William "Bill" Roberts. And Democrat Ruben Kihuen was endorsed over the incumbent he is challenging, Assemblyman Bob McCleary, D-North Las Vegas.
The union didn't endorse a candidate in the County Commission primary between incumbent Commissioner Myrna Williams and Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani. Democrats Susan Brager and Commissioner Rory Reid were endorsed in their commission races.
In the crowded field of 10 for county recorder, the federation endorsed Bob Spencer. Of 12 candidates for county public administrator, the choice was John Cahill.
There was no endorsement in the state Supreme Court races of Justice Michael Douglas and Justice Nancy Becker.
District Attorney David Roger was the only Republican endorsed for partisan office.
The union group did not endorse a candidate for sheriff because the police union is still interviewing for its endorsement in the 16-way race.
