March 11, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ST. PAUL, MN — LIUNA Minnesota, representing more than 14,000 skilled construction and general Laborers across the state, today announced its endorsement of Amy Klobuchar for governor.
"Amy Klobuchar has spent her career delivering for working people. Minnesotans can count on Amy to bring that strong work ethic to the governor’s office, stand up for what’s right and fix what’s wrong," said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota.
“There are neighborhoods in Minnesota where kids are still drinking water through lead pipes. There are crumbling roads and bridges that need to be fixed. Amy Klobuchar will focus on the basics, continue creating good jobs, and fixing our infrastructure,” said Derek Pederson, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 1091 (Duluth-Superior area).
“Working families should not have to choose between healthcare, housing and childcare. As Governor, we trust Amy Klobuchar to keep prioritizing affordability for working Minnesotans over tax breaks for greedy corporations and the ultra-wealthy, and she’s got the record to prove it,” said Lorne Lundeen, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 405 (Rochester area).
“Amy Klobuchar understands that Minnesota workers built this nation, and we need a governor who knows what’s at stake for the Iron Range, will find common ground, and keep us working,” said Shawn Braford, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 1097 (Iron Range).
“Our members should be able to own a home in the communities they build. Amy Klobuchar will make sure the workers who build Minnesota can earn living wages, and afford to live and put down roots here,” said Joe Fowler, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 563 (Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Mankato and Saint Cloud areas).
LIUNA is one of Minnesota's largest and most politically active unions, with a history of endorsing and electing bipartisan infrastructure champions who deliver on jobs and workers’ rights.
Amy Klobuchar’s leadership and accomplishments on job creation, infrastructure investment, and workers’ rights include:
- Amy fought to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the largest long-term, comprehensive federal investment in U.S. roads, bridges and water infrastructure in history.
- Amy was a key proponent of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the union jobs bill that drives investment in energy projects with registered apprenticeships and prevailing wage protections. She secured provisions that lowered prescription drug costs.
- Amy has consistently fought foreign steel dumping to protect Minnesota's Iron Range workers and communities.
- Amy was a consistent supporter and co-sponsor of the Butch Lewis Act, which protected the pensions of union members and retirees as part of the American Rescue Plan.
- Amy acted quickly to obtain full funding to rebuild the I-35W bridge just thirteen months after it tragically collapsed into the Mississippi River. She also played a key role in passing the St. Croix River Crossing, Blatnik Bridge, and other critical bridge replacement projects.
- Amy has consistently supported paid family and medical leave and paid sick day programs to ensure workers can care for themselves and family members, including the elderly or disabled, without losing their paychecks.
- Amy has been an original co-sponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which aims to strengthen unions and expand labor protections for all workers.