RALEIGH -- Former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dan Blue made one of his first public statements on the Senate race Thursday at a news conference promoting candidate Erskine Bowles.
Blue, who initially had been hesitant to throw his support to Bowles after the primary election, primarily criticized Republican candidate Elizabeth Dole's lack of dedication to North Carolina's working families and pushed Bowles' stance on the issue.
Blue also said he supports Bowles on more than just partisan issues.
"Bowles will work hard for the issues talked about and (hold) up the banner of the Democratic Party," he said.
Also participating in the event were former Democratic Party leaders, including Alexis Herman, who served as U.S. secretary of labor under President Clinton.
The conference was held at the Raleigh headquarters of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations.
At the event, Blue and Herman said working families are a top priority for the Democratic Party.
The Bowles campaign advocates issues such as a minimum wage increase, child education, the protection of Social Security pensions and health care for seniors, Blue said.
Herman, one of the most vocal advocates of the labor movement, worked with Bowles when he served as Clinton's chief of staff from 1996-98. She said that Bowles has her support on economic issues.
