At the League of Women Voters candidate forum on April 14th, our slate, along with the other candidates, was asked a question about campaign contributions. We in good faith believed that we were being asked whether our campaign was being funded by any political or other organizations. We answered that we had not received contributions from anyone other than our team members and our friends (all of whom are individuals). We have not and do not intend to accept campaign contributions from anyone other than individuals. We are largely funding our campaign ourselves.
Regarding endorsements, our slate member, Christian Estevez, is a proud, lifelong, union organizer. Our team strongly supports the right of all employees to organize. Christian is currently employed by the Communication Workers of America, and was previously employed by the AFL-CIO. Christian (and not the rest of the slate) was endorsed by his employer and the AFL-CIO. Our slate was endorsed by SEIU Local 32BJ United of Service Workers United. That local represents the cafeteria workers in the Plainfield Public Schools. Food service is privatized in our system and is outsourced to Sodexo. The local engages in collective bargaining with Sodexo, not with the Board of Education. We are proud of the hard working men and women of the Service Workers Union, and are happy that they have confidence in our slate.
When a union gives an endorsement, it publicizes the endorsement as it sees fit, and not in consultation with the candidates, consistent with the disclaimer printed on its literature. Our slate was not consulted about the content, timing or the extent of the mailings that were sent. Once again, we strongly support the right of unions, and of any other organizations, to endorse candidates who share their core beliefs and we appreciate our endorsements.
Our slate regrets the controversy that has arisen over this issue in an election that is rife with controversy, and we hope that this explanation will clear the air.
Sincerely,
Mary Burgwinkle
Plainfield Coalition for Better Schools
