3 more labor unions endorse ‘strong advocate’ José Javier Rodríguez in Attorney General race

Democrat José Javier Rodríguez is securing major labor backing in his bid to unseat Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier, with endorsements from AFSCME Florida, the Florida Education Association (FEA) and Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF).

Together, the organizations represent more than 252,000 public employees and first responders.

AFSCME Florida — which has scored an impressive series of recertification victories in recent years despite union crackdowns under Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appointed Uthmeier as Attorney General last year — praised Rodríguez’s commitment to working people.

“Floridians deserve a champion who speaks up for everyday families and fights back against billionaire corruption. Rodríguez is that champion,” Janice Coakley, AFSCME PEOPLE Chair and Local 3293 President, said.

The FEA, which represents more than 120,000 teachers and faculty workers, lauded Rodríguez’s education advocacy bona fides.

“José Javier Rodríguez has been a strong advocate for Florida’s educators, support professionals, students, and neighborhood public schools,” FEA President Andrew Spar said.

“He understands the importance of protecting public education and standing up for the teachers and staff who serve Florida’s students every day.”

FPF heaped on similar praise.

“Jose Javier Rodríguez has a record of dedicated public service and has consistently supported working men and women throughout his time in the Florida House and Senate,” FPF President Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska said. “We appreciate his support for organized labor and are pleased to endorse him for Attorney General.”

Rodríguez said he is “honored” by the endorsements and “deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this campaign.”

“As the People’s Lawyer, I will fight to make our communities safer, bring down costs for working families, and hold the powerful accountable,” he said.

The new union nods join many others, including endorsements from U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Maxwell Frost; House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell; state Sens. LaVon Bracy Davis and Vic Torres; state Reps. Lindsay Cross, Anna Eskamani, Mike Gottlieb, Dianne Hart and Michele Rayner; Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; and a slew of advocacy and union organizations like the Florida AFL-CIO, SEIU Florida, SAVE Action PAC, Latino Victory Fund and VoteWater.

Rodríguez, a workers’ rights lawyer, former state Senator and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, is the only candidate running against Uthmeier, who previously served as DeSantis’ Chief of Staff.

Tampa Bay Times reporting this month found Uthmeier’s campaign accepted $25,000 each from developer Matthew Lazenby’s trust and Two Roads Development, both involved in legal disputes, and that his office subsequently intervened in both cases.

Independent journalist Jason Garcia reported similar conduct involving car dealership mogul Norman Braman, who donated $25,000 to Uthmeier’s campaign before the Attorney General’s Office inserted itself into a lawsuit Braman was involved in.

Rodríguez faces a significant fundraising disadvantage. He raised nearly $1.5 million through late June, while Uthmeier stacked more than $8.85 million.

The General Election is Nov. 3.