Portland, OR - Members of the two Oregon-based Service Employees International Union locals celebrated Bonamici's victory as a decisive indication of public support for worker-friendly candidates and a repudiation of Republican policies that have hurt all but the wealthiest Americans.

Members of SEIU Locals 503 and 49 formed a parachute brigade," sending literature, knocking on doors and making phone calls on Bonamici's behalf, reached out to more than 8,000 union households in the district. Through SEIU COPE, SEIU's political action committee funded through voluntary member contributions, SEIU also sent direct mail to almost 130,000 households.

"I thought it was very important to help contact the thousands of labor households - so we could get Suzanne Bonamici elected," said Glendora Claybrooks an SEIU Local 503 homecare provider and longtime district resident who worked tirelessly on the effort. "Her victory is testament to support for working people, vulnerable populations and middle-class families. Suzanne will go to Congress as a great champion for all Oregonians."

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy. www.seiu.org

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