SEIU Colorado Backs Manny Rutinel for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District

Member-led process backs the candidate who has chosen workers over corporations.

SEIU Colorado, uniting two SEIU union locals that bargain on behalf of more than 35,000 healthcare workers, janitors, airport workers, and public service workers across the state, has endorsed State Representative Manny Rutinel for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District.

“Colorado’s state workers, like public service workers across the country, are directly impacted by the systematic dismantling of critical programs and services, layoffs, and pay cuts resulting from Congress’ apparent inability to stop corruption and massive tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-rich,” said Colorado WINS Executive Director Hilary Glasgow. “Our members chose to support Manny Rutinel for CD8 because of his pledge to defend public services, choose workers over corporations, and to take direct action to block the corporate agenda.”

“Our members are working harder than ever, and still falling behind. The cost of healthcare, groceries, rent, gas, it just keeps going up, while billionaires and corporations rig the system to take more and give less,” said Stephanie Felix-Sowy, President of SEIU Local 105. “Colorado’s service workers are done with that. We need a champion in Washington who will take on corporate greed and fight for us. That’s why we’re backing Manny Rutinel.”

Rep. Rutinel said he was grateful for the confidence workers have placed in him, and is doubling down on his pledge to support unions and the workers they are fighting for.

“I know that strong unions lift everyone up by raising the bar, expanding workers’ rights, and fighting for fair wages and better and safer working conditions,” said Rep. Rutinel. “If I am elected to serve in Congress, I am committed to putting workers first by uniting with unions to expand collective bargaining, strengthen public services, and lower costs and create stability and prosperity for working families.”

Colorado WINS and SEIU Local 105 both follow a rigorous, member-led evaluation process that includes both candidate interviews and a review of candidates’ records. Throughout the process, members made it clear that they wanted to choose candidates who would choose workers over corporations.

The endorsement for Manny Rutinel follows earlier endorsements by both Colorado WINS and SEIU Local 105 that includes backing State Senator Julie Gonzales for U.S. Senate, along with candidates for Congress, statewide office, and the Colorado General Assembly.

“Like Manny Rutinel, all of these candidates have pledged to stand with working people — from championing legislation to raise wages to joining workers on picket lines as they fought for better pay, affordable healthcare, and the ability to live in the communities they serve,” said Kallie Leyba, Executive Director of SEIU Colorado. “We have the power to shape elections, and we will use it to elect leaders who put working people first.”

Find our full list of endorsed candidates here.