Contact: Emil Ramirez: 612-623-8045, eramirez@usw.org
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – District 11 of the United Steelworkers (USW) union, covering nine Midwestern states including Minnesota, announced today its endorsement of Steelworker and Koochiching County Commissioner Rob Ecklund for state representative.
“As a union leader and public servant, Rob Ecklund has shown through his service to his co-workers and his community over many years that he is driven by a deep commitment to improve the lives of working people. That is exactly what Minnesota needs in the legislature,” said USW District 11 Director Emil Ramirez in explaining the endorsement.
Ecklund, who is also a Marine Corps veteran, is seeking the nomination of the DFL for the Minnesota legislative seat in District 3A left vacant by the untimely death of State Rep. David Dill in August. The massive district includes Cook, Lake and Koochiching counties in north east Minnesota. Ecklund has served as a commissioner since 2010.
In announcing his run, Ecklund pledged that if elected, he would concentrate on protecting jobs, community values, outdoor activities and the quality of life in Northern Minnesota. He said, “My life experiences of being a veteran, husband, father, county commissioner, mill worker and an avid hunter and fisherman have shaped who I am as a public servant.”
Ecklund has worked at Boise Paper in International Falls for 26 years and served as president of the USW local union there. “As a former local union president, Rob Ecklund is well aware of the struggles of hard working, middle class people and will focus his legislative agenda on their best interests,” said John Rebrovich, assistant to the director of USW District 11.
Ecklund has worked on issues including economic development, transportation and clean water. He often coordinated efforts with the late David Dill, who he regarded as a friend. They allied on projects including expanding airport services and improving roads, bridges and water treatment.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries, including metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.
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