Service Union Takes Aim At Congressman Grimm For Immigration Reform

The list of those who consider Republican Congressman Michael Grimm vulnerable in next year’s election is growing, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the latest to pledge thousands of dollars to taking him down.

We previously on how the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has launched a full-on blitz against the representative after a narrow seven-point victory against a lackluster candidate, Mark Murphy. They’ve thrown their considerable war-chest towards television and internet ads against the incumbent, and have given their backing to outgoing Councilmember Domenic Recchia, who, as finance chair of the Council, has garnered quite a bit of support.

Even the GOP considers Grimm vulnerable, enlisting him in their “Patriot” program, providing fundraising and communications support to candidates that might lose their seats in upcoming elections.

Last week, the SEIU committed approximately $80,000 to ousting Grimm with ads in the district blasting him for his faulture to support immigration reform.

The Daily News reports:

The ads, running in the districts in each on the members, cite House’s failure to move immigration reform a symptom of an inept Congress and ask viewers to press the member to support action. In addition to pressuring members, they seek to make the members responsible if reform fails.

“One year out from the mid-term elections, Speaker Boehner is putting members of his caucus at risk. Commonsense immigration reform is smart politics, good policy and the right thing to do,” said SEIU Executive Vice President Rocio Saenz.

The SEIU has 2.1 million members nationwide, representing immigrant-heavy trades, including healthcare, property services and public services. It accounts for most of New York City’s unionized home health aides, janitors, bus drivers, maintenance workers and more.

But with one new foe, Grimm also makes a friend. Politico is reporting that Grimm has garnered the support of some buildings and trade unions, one of few Republicans to do so. And while national labor groups are steering clear of him, local chapters like the Mason Tenders District Council are donating funds and campaigning on his behalf.