Unions' Endorsement Methods Questioned

Contributions Made Before Members' Votes of Support, Candidate Bolden Says

"For me, it's a question of fundamental fairness," says A. Scott Bolden, a Democratic candidate for Phil Mendelson's at-large seat on the D.C. Council. (By Jahi Chikwendiu -- The Washington Post)

A D.C. Council candidate is questioning top union officials about their endorsement processes, pointing to political contributions made to local candidates by the organizations before official votes of support by rank and file members.

A. Scott Bolden, a lawyer challenging incumbent Phil Mendelson for an at-large seat in the Democratic primary, sent letters last week to the presidents of the Service Employees International Union Maryland/D.C. State Council and the Hotel & Restaurant Employees Local 25 saying that $1,000 contributions the groups made in March to Mendelson trouble him, given that the unions have not officially backed candidates.

Last week, Bolden said, he was interviewed by representatives from the local service employees union as part of its endorsement selection process and spent many hours responding to the organization's questionnaire. The union, which represents 10,000 D.C. residents who work in health care and building services as well as in the public sector and nonprofit organizations, and the hotel and restaurant workers group, are seen as key organizations that supply money, volunteers and votes to campaigns.

"For me, it's a question of fundamental fairness," said Bolden, who tangled with the unions when he headed the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. "It's unclear what the questionnaire and interview process is about because the decision seems to have been made already. . . . Don't piss on my leg and tell me that it's raining." The political action committee of the SEIU Maryland/D.C. State Council also contributed $500 to mayoral candidate and D.C. Council member Adrian M. Fenty's campaign in July, and two other affiliates of the union contributed to Fenty (D-Ward 4) this election cycle.

Officials with the service employees union could not be reached to comment yesterday.

Bolden's questioning of union expenditures drew a vociferous response from John Boardman, executive secretary-treasurer of Hotel & Restaurant Employees Local 25, who said the council candidate didn't understand politics. He said the union's executive board, which is elected by the general membership, voted to give Mendelson the money because he has been a loyal advocate for the city's working class. Boardman said all expenditures by the board, including political contributions, are also approved by union members at quarterly meetings.

"I thought I had seen arrogance in the political world, but yours takes the cake," Boardman wrote in response to Bolden. "Really Scott, your ignorance of this Local Union, its legal and fiduciary processes and the labor movement in general is stunning."

Bolden stood by his inquiry. "They make it out like it was a mortal sin to ask a question," he said.