WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a story published on March 16, 2021.
Shontel Brown, chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party and current congressional-hopeful, received a major endorsement on Monday that could help further her campaign.
The United Auto Workers Region 2B--the union that covers both Ohio and Indiana auto workers--endorsed Brown in the election for the open seat in Ohio's 11th congressional district. The seat, left open by now-U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, is hotly contested with several other prominent Democrats vying for the job.
RELATED: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Nina Turner in Ohio's 11th Congressional District race
Wayne Blanchard, director of UAW Region 2B, released the following statement:
"Shontel Brown has stood with us on picket lines. She listens and brings people together, and that makes her a compassionate and effective leader. We are confident Shontel will work with President Biden and with her constituents to Build Back Better -- and ensure the recovery lifts up Northeast Ohio. We wholeheartedly endorse Shontel Brown for Congress in the upcoming special election."
"The endorsement of the United Auto Workers Region 2B means the world to me," Brown added. "It is another sign that voters want a Congresswoman who will partner with the Biden Administration to lead Northeast Ohio’s economic recovery from this pandemic."
Brown has also received endorsements from U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, and several other major political figures in Northeast Ohio.
"I hear every day from people in our district who can’t afford some combination of health care, housing, education, and groceries," Brown continued. "That’s unacceptable and must change. I will work with the Biden Administration and organized labor to create a recovery in Northeast Ohio that lifts all families and workers."
One of Brown's main rivals for the Democratic nomination, former State Sen. Nina Turner, recently gained the endorsements of U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cleveland City Councilman Blaine A. Griffin. Additionally, former State Rep. Bryan Flannery entered the race on Tuesday.
Editor's note: the video in the player below is from a story published on March 19, 2021.