De Blasio gets 2020 presidential backing from local union
FILE - In this May 25, 2019, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate New York Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at an event with veterans and military families in Las Vegas. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is picking up the first union endorsement of his longshot presidential bid. The New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council announced Wednesday, June 5, that it is endorsing de Blasio and will send members to campaign for him in the early voting states of New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada.(AP Photo/John Locher, File)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH'-zee-oh) has picked up the first union endorsement of his longshot presidential bid.
The New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council announced Wednesday that it is endorsing de Blasio and will send members to campaign for him in early voting states including New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina.
De Blasio is among two dozen candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Since joining the race last month, he has struggled to emerge from the pack and may not qualify for the first Democratic debates .
But Hotel and Motel Trades Council President Peter Ward says de Blasio offers "much-needed hope to working families across the country."
The 40,000-member union local is an affiliate of the national hotel workers union UNITE HERE.