Baron Hill,
Democrat candidate for the open seat in the U.S. Senate currently held by
Republican Dan Coats, has earned the endorsement of the United Steelworkers
(USW), representing more than 23,000 steelworkers across the state.
The endorsement was
announced on Monday at a rally at USW Local 1066 in Gary.
“Manufacturing jobs
are constantly undermined by cheating nations and by Washington politicians
like Congressman Todd Young who votes to strip workers of their rights and
hand over American jobs to the highest foreign competitor, USW District 7
Director Michael Millsap said. “Hoosier workers need an ally like Baron Hill
in the U.S. Senate who will put us first in trade deals and hold China
accountable for not playing by the rules.”
Hill has been a
vocal opponent of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), on the ground that it
undermines workers protections. As a member of Congress, Baron voted to
crack down on China for manipulating its currency to gain a competitive edge
over U.S. competitors.
“It's past time we
get back to making things in America again, and we need another Senator from
the state of Indiana who will fight for you in Washington and enforce the
rules to protect your jobs,” Hill said. “When I'm in the U.S. Senate next
year, we're going to work together to put Hoosiers First --and to fight for
Hoosier workers.”
Hill held five
non-consecutive terms in the U.S. House, representing Indiana’s 9th
Congressional District south of Bloomington. He was defeated for re-election
in 2010 by Republican Todd Young, who as it happens is now Hill’s opponent
once again, as the GOP’s nominee for the Senate seat. Coats is not seeking
re-election.