Despite not having formally declared his candidacy for the powerful post of president of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka's campaign seems to be gaining steam.
Over the past week, four separate affiliates of the AFL-CIO have endorsed Trumka, who is currently the secretary treasurer of the union, to replace the retiring John Sweeney, who is stepping down from the presidency after 14 years.
The endorsements give off a dual impression: That Trumka is close to making a formal announcement of his candidacy and that, even without an announcement, there is growing momentum to see him run.
On June 9, the 86,000-member California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee became the first to throw its support behind Trumka's non-existent campaign.
"Rich Trumka is a bold, strategic, and a fighting leader," said CNA/NNOC Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro, a national Vice-President of the AFL-CIO. "His uncommon and uncompromising spirit, and his passion for working people and social change are especially needed in this critical juncture for America's workers and unions."
A day later, the 1.4 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees followed suit. On Monday, the International Executive Board of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) unanimously endorsed Trumka, calling him "the right leader for America's workers at this critical time in our nation's history."
Today, the Utility Workers Union of America gave its support to the Secretary Treasurer, calling Trumka a "great leader of men and women."
The collective endorsements of Trumka, who serves on President Obama's Economic Advisory Panel, could serve to clear the field of AFL-CIO presidential candidates before the campaign even begins. The union has 65 national and international affiliates. The unions backing Trumka, however, are some of the most influential.
Asked whether Trumka was officially running, AFL-CIO spokesman Eddie Vale declined to comment.
The AFL-CIO's presidential election will take place at the union's convention in Pittsburgh this September.