Below are the candidates that I endorse. I go back to the last years of our late great founding President, Stu Filby. Duting his administration the APWU was a new, vibrant, and vigilant AFL/CIO Partner. We were on the picket lines and fought for the Mail Handlers, PATCO, the Teamsters, the Steelworkers, the Miners and all other unions. We negotiated with NALC, NRLCA and LIUNA. Later administrations isolated and diminished us and led us to decline.

I was, for a couple of decades a leader of the loyal opposition in the APWU, losing narrowly (twice) to Moe Biller for the APWU Presidency. I led my state and local into the new century and am proudly “President Emiritus” of the WV APWU, The KYOWVA Area Local and National Director Emeritus of the ABA.

I have only voted for the winning APWU National President two times. Both times it was for Mark Dimondstein: That is because only Mark has attempted to return the APWU to the spirit of union democracy. He built the Grand Coalition of labor and has brought us back into the fight.

Below I list my endorsements: in retirement, I have little influence and even fewer resources, but my heart speaks when I offer my reasons (and apologies) for these endorsements. There is no place for “SLATES” in democratic unionism. We, the members must decide the people to lead us. And, when elected, they are obligated to form an effective TEAM.

PRESIDENT: Mark Dimondstein, because he has made us a union again.

To my friends : Greg, you served as VP in a corporation, not a union. You are a good person. John, you should have stayed in legislation where your expertise lay and where we elected you. Moreover, the health plan is not better for your time there. And to Tony, you lied to us about arbitrator staffing and never defended my innocent local president from firing.

VICE PRESIDENT: Jonathan Smith, I so totally respect Jonathan and how he conducts business and Stands up for the membership ;, for labor and for the underdogs in all areas. But he is my overwhelming choice mainly because, if the need be, Jonathan could step in and be a great president for the APWU:

Apologies to my longtime friend Debby, she was a good VP for the members, but, if she had a problem with Mark saying that she was not presidential material, why did she not run for president? She actually seemed to confirm the doubt. Kudos to Sam, a good person and effective local officer.

SECRETARY-TREASURER: Liz Powell, with apologies to no one! She is simply excellent.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DIRECTOR: Vance Zimmerman, with great regret in not being able to support both of these great friends and capable officers. I believe that for a person to lose office he needs to have done wrong or have been incompetent. Vance has done neither and deserves another term. My great hope is that Scott continues the fight. I believe he is destined for great things.

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR:
********UPDATE*****
After receiving very positive information from Roy Braunstein, Myke Reid and Sherry McKnight I am endorsing CJ Jenkins for Legislative Director.

ORGANIZATION DIRECTOR: Anna Smith, Anna has returned the vitality and stamina to Organization that has not been seen since Ben Zemsky. There is no valid reason to replace her.

RESEARCH and EDUCATION DIRECTOR: Joyce Robinson, to replace this icon of dedication and ability would take a supremely qualified educator and union heart, Perhaps Jeff Kelhert,. Joyce and I have fought on opposite sides and together, never loosing sight of the union’s goals. If it were Jeff Kellert, yes, but it is not.

HUMAN RELATIONS DIRECTOR: Sue Carney, Again dedication and success personified.

HEALTH PLAN DIRECTOR: Sebrina Maynard, Qualifications rule here. We need quality, like we had with Kaczor

RETIREE DIRECTOR: I wholeheartedly endorse Nancy Olumekor. She has the spirit and vitality to do the job.

*I will only address my (Eastern) Region Coordinator race. The rest of you need to look closely at your area races.

EASTERN REGION COORDINATOR:  A J Jones, AJ is a true trade unionist; He is a union activist; He is an educator: He is a state officer and steward; He is from a local that is small enough to be screwed over, yet large enough to take care of its self. AJ and I have not always agreed, but we have always respected the others position. AJ will stand up for the individuals and small locals, not just the big blocks of votes. I cannot say that about Mr. La Salle and I don’t know Sister Lane, either personally or by reputation.

CLERK CRAFT DIRECTOR: Lamont Brooks is the hardest working officer in Washington. I respect him and find him to be honest and straight forward. My friend Clint is a good man, but Lamont is a rare jewel, already walking the walk.

CLERK ASST A: Sam Lisenbe, experienced, dedicated tested and true.

CLERK ASST B: Lynne Pallas-Barber: Hands down. If my job was on the line I’d want Lynne in my corner. Lynne is the only person I might have picked over Lamont for director. ( seriously, anyone else is ridiculous).

Those are my endorsements, for what its worth may the best folks win and may they lead APWU forward to a brighter future.

In Union Spirit,

David E (Dave) Daniel
Proud Trade Unionist, APWU Member and Liberal Democrat.

First Name: David
Last Name: Daniel
Email: davedaniel1488@aol.com
Union/Local: KYOWVA Area Local #1488
Office held if any: President; now President Emeritus