Labor unions solidly behind one of their own in Wisconsin governor’s race

Mahlon Mitchell is collecting something that none of the other Democratic candidates for governor in Wisconsin are. Union endorsements.

The AFL-CIO is the latest in the state to back Mitchell, a Madison firefighter and head of the state’s firefighters union.

Not a surprise that he gets labor backing. But definitely something that helps him stand out from a crowded field

“Means a lot,” Mitchell said. “It means that the house of labor is on our side and we’re going to be the champion of working people across our state.”

Mitchell says he’s not concerned about being labeled “the union guy.”

“People are going to label you what they want to label you,” he said. “I don’t get nervous or scared about someone labeling me as a labor person or a union guy because unions helped build the best middle class in the world.”

There have been many as 20 who have declared an intention to run for governor on the Democratic ticket.

That list has been whittled down a bit to 14 who have filed registration statements with the state Ethics Commission.