M.L. King County Labor Council

Candidates seeking the Labor Council’s endorsement (or recommendation in statewide or legislative races) are required to participate in the MLKCLC endorsement process. (Many of our affiliated unions have their own individual processes. Please contact them directly. A list of local unions can be obtained from the Washington State Labor Council, which has a list of unions statewide on their website.)

If you are a candidate seeking an endorsement, please contact our office at (206) 441-8510 to schedule an interview date and complete and return a candidate bio sheet and COPE questionnaire (see below.) Questionnaires can be emailed, faxed to (206) 441-7103, or mailed to 2800 First Ave, #206, Seattle 98121.

The Committee on Political Education (COPE) will conduct interviews in some races. Our political director will conduct phone interviews in other instances. The COPE consists of the Council's Executive Board and individuals named by our affiliated organizations to represent them in this process.

Once all interested candidates for any given office have been considered, the MLKCLC Executive Board will consider input from other COPE members and make a recommendation for endorsement. This recommendation requires a 2/3 vote of the Board. The candidate’s voting records shall be reviewed, if appropriate. The viability and attitude of the candidate shall also be considered. All candidates must complete a COPE questionnaire and participate in our process in order to be considered for endorsement.

Any recommendation made by the Board shall be forwarded to the delegate body of the Council. This body typically meets the third Wednesday of each month and endorsements/recommendations to WSLC may be made only at these meetings. It requires a 2/3 vote of the delegate body to confirm an endorsement recommendation made by the Board. Any motion for endorsement made from the floor of the meeting without a recommendation from the Board will be referred back to the Board for consideration at their next meeting, to be brought back to the delegate body at the subsequent meeting of the delegates. Once an endorsement has been made, no further interviews will be held, except in extenuating circumstances (to be considered on a case-by-case basis.)

Please visit our Campaign Resources page to learn more about using worker-friendly businesses to help you win your election!