I am not passing judgement—just saying that this is a bizarre exchange at Arch City.

It seems pretty clear to me that unless Tony was assuming a role to which he not entitled—that local 2000 gave Hubbard a very strong endorsement.

[You're absolutely right, Joe. I've never heard of a candidate losing an endorsement and then taking the "No, you didn't endorse my opponent" route. It's strange actually. --ADF]

Rep. Robin Wright Jones’ statement on the Hubbard video:

Statement on the Local 2000 “endorsement”

I was very disappointed to see the video posting on Rep. Hubbard’s website suggesting that he had received SEIU Local 2000’s endorsement, as I have not received a candidate questionnaire, and have not been given the opportunity to make our case to Local 2000’s membership.

It is well known that Local 2000 has not actually endorsed Rep. Hubbard. In addition, there are statements in the video that are simply not true. The most glaring example is the statement that Local 2000 employee John Cross made that Rep. Hubbard was responsible for Probation and Parole officers receiving raises and back pay. In reality the raises and back pay were won in a lawsuit against the state, not through anything done in the legislature. Also, that money has still yet to be paid to the Probation and Parole officers.

Despite this misleading posting on Rep. Hubbard’s website, I still hope to win the support of Local 2000, and believe that if given a chance I can prove that I will best represent the interests of the membership.

Posted by: Dave at 1:26 pm | Category: Endorsement
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Comments
I’m not sure what video she was watching, but I just watched the video posted here and I didn’t hear anyone say that SEIU endorsed Hubbard. From what I could hear on my computer speakers, it sounded like greatful constituents expressing gratitude for a legislator who was there willing to listen, make introductions and help with their concerns. I also didn’t hear anyone on the video say that Hubbard single-handedly solved the pay issue, but helped connect SEIU officials to the sources that could best help their issue.

This really comes off like Jones is pissed that SEIU isn’t going to back her when they do make an endorsement, if they haven’t already. This looks like the same dirty tricks Jone pulled to get Connie Johnson thrown off the ballot for helping her elderly mom. Jones is just playing dirty old politics.
Posted by: confused on June 11, 2008 at 6:12 pm

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Well, it certainly looks like the video was meant give the impression that Local 2000 has endorsed Rodney, even if none of the officials said the word endorse. One of the gentlemen said “we” and other things that make it seem that he is speaking on behalf of the union.

As far as the probation and parole thing goes, the man talking does make it seem like Hubbard was somehow responsible for getting the officers their pay increase, which doesn’t seem to be the case.
Posted by: not on June 11, 2008 at 7:18 pm

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oh yeah… and I just got some Rodney handbill that lists Local 2000 as having already endorsed.
Posted by: still on June 12, 2008 at 10:26 am

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At our monthly union meeting on May 21st, 2008, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard was invited to speak to our general membership, but more important than that we invited State Representative Rodney Hubbard to the meeting because we wanted to thank him publicly for what a great friend he has been to SEIU Local 2000, and he did help us forge some important relationships in Jefferson City that helped with our issue for our Probation and Parole Officers and their back pay.
Robin-Wright Jones as usual don’t know what she is talking about. We want the lawsuit, but the money still needed to be appropriated in the budget by the Missouri Legislature. A Line item was created under the Office Director - Department of Corrections to fund the back-pay for Probation and Parole Officers. The money we were told will be avialable in Spring of 2009. We obviously want the money to be paid earlier and are still working very dillgently to get the money for our members with the help of course of State Representative Rodney Hubbard and also Senator Chris Koster, who SEIU Local 2000 has endorsed as Attorney-General. I suggest Ms. Jones read the the judgement of the Court before making stupid comments.
On another note, we at SEIU Local 2000 have never heard of Robin Wright-Jones before this press release. She has never visited us or taken the time to get to know the leadership of SEIU Local 2000 and its members.
SEIU Local 2000 is an independent union, that makes its own decision on who to endorse. We have endorsed State Representative Rodney Hubbard for State Senator in the 5th Senatorial District because he is the best candidate and has been there for SEIU Local 2000 from the begining.

Tony Condra
Secretary/Treasurer SEIU Local 2000
Posted by: Tony Condra on June 12, 2008 at 12:36 pm

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What kind of Union official posts on blogs? As a Execuetive in a Local who is involving their self in politics, it wold be wise to find out who all is running for the seat? You say you have “never heard of” Rep Wright-Jones. First this is assanine statement for a Union Official involved in politics to make, since Jones has been in the House six years. Secondly you say “Robin Wright-Jones as usual don’t know what she is talking about”. Which seems to me you’ve had some contact with the Representitive. Lastly, you didn’t answer her statement of having received a questionaire, which all Unions do.Unions are supposed to be about the democratic process. How is Rep Hubbard the best candidate if 1. you never heard of Rep Jones 2. You didn’t give her a questionare. Is “Independent Union” some code for
make up our own rules?
Posted by: Rick on June 12, 2008 at 2:04 pm

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Seriously, there’s no way that is accurate. If it is, then that is an even more serious issue. A union with a large city membership not even knowing a three term state representative representing downtown? Really?
Posted by: neverheardofher? on June 12, 2008 at 3:17 pm

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i can understand why those guys never heard of that robin jones lady. ive never seen her at one of my neighborhood meetings. rodny hubbard has been there a few times just like jeanette oxford and my other elected officials. i know its not election day yet if it were id vote for hubbard cause he cares enough to come by and see us and hear what we think about what they do down there in jeff. city.
Posted by: southsider on June 12, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Even though Hubbard has come to some of your neighborhood meetings ing in and listened to you what has he done for you? He sold out his own home ward. He has not come to the wards that are involved in the Mckee hell that he helped create. Where is he on those issues (Brick theft, arsons waist high grass). Did he mention anything in your neighborhood meeting (what neighborhood was that anyway northside/southside city/county)?

Robin thinks she’s entitled to the senate seat. She’s never campaigned for it. I live in north city and never see her or hear from her. Not even a mailing. Jeesh.

I’ve not heard or seen that Robin thinks she is entitled. I have seen her signs acros the city russell, arsenal, st louis ave. So she has to be campaigning, and she must be getting a good reception.

Rodney Hubbard is good for SEIU’s membership? Is that why he didn’t have the courage to vote no against the medicaid cuts, which last I knew probably affected quite a few of the SEIU’s members.
Go Robin!

[Get your facts straight, Richard. Rodney Hubbard voted AGAINST Governor Blunt's horrific medicaid cuts. --ADF]

I am still wondering about the tangle of issues involving the schools. Hubbard is often mentioned as one who is more receptive about charters and vouchers—which is also the case for Mayor Slay.

Bourisaw endorsed Hubbard’s opponent based on her support of slps—but how much longer will she even be a st. louis citizen? (she is down to the final 2 out of 16 going for the Cincinnati superintendent’s job).

I assumed atty general Jay Nixon would be careful about getting too close to anything related to school takeover issues—but elected board member David Jackson reports that he is considering the possibility of repealing the law giving power to the sab—and he is stressing that all MO schools should be run by elected boards. It appears, at least, that Nixon has noted some of the (insert your own noun) of the sab, and has some questions.

I suppose it is possible that Hubbard could be receptive to charters and vouchers, and not so receptive to the disenfranchisement of st. louis voters regarding their schools.

Signs don’t win a race. A good organization does.

This race is Rodney’s to lose. Wright-Jones has an elitist Shrewsburyesque style of campaigning that mistakes being politically correct for being politically viable. All the stuff her supporters say about Hubbard being a deal-making ambitious fake progressive using charisma instead of brains remind me of the stuff Shrewsbury folks said about Reed.

And you know what? Just like the Shrewsbury folks, the Wright-Jones folks think that by touting their clever slam they have the upper hand. Just like the Shrewsbury folks, the Wright-Jones folks have a top-down organization and hate making contact with the actual voting public.

On the other hand, flaws and all, Hubbard is out there working it. Oh, he’s working a lot of money folks, but he’s also shaking hands of Jane and Joe Doe at parades and picnics. And he’s been doing this since Day One. Whatever flaws he has politically, he’s sure showing a lot of respect for his constituents.

I can give you 2 reasons why he will loose McKee & Sinquefeld. I’ll throw in one more for good measure the video of the Annie Malone parade. I said then, “This will play well in South St. Louis”,and it did if you’re voting for Wright-Jones.

So Tony Condra what is the difference in voting records between Robin Wright Jones and Rodney Hubbard when it comes to SEIU Local 2000? Who has the State SEIU Board endorsed in the race?

Who is Robin Wright-Jones and where is she hiding. I can’t really say anything bad or good about her because I don’t know her. I don’t know where she stands on the issues, I’m not sure what community she lives in and if she really cares because I just haven’t seen her.

When you look at the two side by side I’m sure we can agree that they both WANT the seat, but who is really working hard trying to get it. If it means walking parade routes, shaking hands, putting up your own posters, calling, and being everywhere you need to be then I can only pick one person that I’ve seen do all of those things that is showing me that they WANT and DESERVE the seat, and MY VOTE

I don’t know—maybe teachers’ organizations are held in such low repute with their antagonistic attitudes toward the dedicated politicians who are so glad to point out how much they are responsible for the problems in education these days—that these endorsements actually help Hubbard more than Smith—who is Glenn Burleigh?

Missouri State Teachers Association Endorses Wright-Jones for Senate

This also follows the endorsement of outgoing superintendent Diana Bourisaw, who also cited Robin’s commitment to Missouri children’s the right to a free, quality public education.

I don’t know if any else saw this, but per a study of Teach for America, TFA. . .

We find that TFA teachers tend to have a positive effect on high school student test scores relative to non-TFA teachers, including those who are certified in-field. Such effects exceed the impact of additional years of experience and are particularly strong in math and science.

http://www.urban.org/publications/411642.html

The study was done by the urban institute a non-partisan group. Didn’t somebody call TFA Can’t Teach For America? I wonder where she is now.

A word of advice Rep. Hubbard, If you’re going to drop lit saying you have Union support. IT SHOULD HAVE A UNION BUG!