Shontel Brown

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The United Auto Workers Region 2B, which covers Ohio and Indiana, has endorsed Shontel Brown, the chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party and a county councilwoman, in the special election for Congress in Ohio's majority Black 11th congressional district, which includes Cleveland, a largely Black pocket of Akron and staggering suburbs of Cuyahoga and Summit counties.

The UAW has some 2800 members in the 11th congressional district, and Brown has the support of more labor unions than all of the other candidates combined, her campaign said in a press release.

"Shontel Brown has stood with us on picket lines. She listens and brings people together, and that makes her a compassionate and effective leader," said Wayne Blanchard, the Director of UAW Region 2B, which covers Ohio and Indiana. "We are confident Shontel will work with President Biden and with her constituents to Build Back Better."

Brown was elated about the endorsement from the powerful auto union.

"The endorsement of the United Auto Workers Region 2B means the world to me," said Brown. "It is another sign that voters want a congresswoman who will partner with the Biden administration to lead Northeast Ohio's economic recovery from this pandemic."

The first woman and first Black woman to lead the county Democratic party, Brown said that "I hear every day from people in our district who can't afford some combination of health care, housing, education, and groceries. That's unacceptable and must change. I will work with the Biden Administration and organized labor to create a recovery in Northeast Ohio that lifts all families and workers."

Among a long list of others, she has been endorsed by Ohio U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty of Columbus, 15 labor unions, and dozens of mayors, community leaders, and elected officials.

Brown said that if she is elected to Congress she will work with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for comprehensive health and economic recovery from the pandemic.

She is a protege of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge, who has not endorsed in the competitive race to replace her in Congress, Fudge resigning from the congressional seat she held for 12 years after the U.S. Senate, on March 10, confirmed her nomination as HUD secretary.