Teamsters local 238 announced Wednesday its endorsement for Iowa House candidate Wes Breckenridge, for House District 29.
As an organization, Teamsters hold certain values and core beliefs to be pillars in any candidate seeking an endorsement and upon reviewing Breckenridge’s platform for office it believes his values and their values are perfectly aligned, the Teamsters said in a news release.
Breckenridge has vowed to be a team player and work together within his own party and across party lines, the news release states.
The Teamsters identified the following reasons for the endorsement:
• The proper funding levels for schools in Iowa is a key issue facing any candidate seeking office and Breckenridge understands the current funding levels not only have a negative impact on teachers and students but also the thousands of other additional support staff across the state, many of whom are represented by the Teamsters.
• The protection of collective bargaining rights for public employees is another important issue. As a former union member before being promoted and working in the public sector, Breckenridge understands the value of the employees to have a voice in their working conditions and wages and not to be forced to simply take what the employer feels is appropriate or fair.
• As Iowa’s largest law enforcement representative, the Teamsters want to ensure common sense laws are passed relating to the manner in which law enforcement conducts its work and to ensure laws which would make the job more difficult than it already is are addressed early in the legislative process.
• The protection of the Iowa Public Employment Retirement System (IPERS) and the Municipal Police and Fire Pension system are critical. Governors and legislatures across the country have pilfered and redirected funds from public employees pension systems to other projects — we must make sure this is never the case in Iowa. Both retirement systems are viable and are currently solvent at an accepted level. We must ensure these accounts and the contributions of the employees are never used for anything but their intended purpose.
Wes Breckenridge has shown himself to be a leader as well as a man of integrity and drive, the Teamsters said in the release.
“Breckenridge’s service to the community whether through his full-time employment as a police officer or his roles as a teacher, volunteer coach, or mentor in many community organizations prove his intentions are pure and honorable,” the Teamsters said.