Leslie Knope Of 'Parks And Recreation' Endorsed For Pawnee City Council By AFSCME

National labor unions rarely make endorsements in local races, but the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is making a fictional exception.

The massive public-sector union, one of the most powerful labor groups in the country, endorsed Leslie Knope for City Council in the small town of Pawnee, Ind. Knope is the character played by actress Amy Poehler on NBC's "Parks and Recreation."

“We proudly endorse Leslie Knope for Pawnee City Council. Knope’s public service and her passion for making our communities safer, healthier and stronger make her the right person for the job," said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee in a statement.

Knope, a long-time public servant, declared her candidacy late last year. Her party affiliation is unknown.

The group admitted on its blog that the endorsement was "a blatant attempt to draft Amy Poehler to speak at the union’s biennial convention in June." He promised to have the fictional candidate's favorite food on hand if Poehler showed up.

"AFSCME members would be thrilled to have Amy Poehler at our convention," he said. "We are prepared to Ramp Up our campaign to draft her, and we will even have waffles for her backstage if she accepts.”

Poehler's publicist did not respond to a request for comment from The Huffington Post.

AFSCME also held a rally outside its Washington headquarters in support of its newest candidate on Friday morning. Staffers passed out "AFSCME For Knope" signs and chanted "Knope Se Puede," a riff on President Obama's 2008 campaign slogan, as they marched on the sidewalk.

(Watch video of the rally above.)