DENVER – Citing her commitment to working people, the Teamsters Local 455 labor union this week endorsed former State Treasurer Cary Kennedy in the Democratic primary for governor.

“Kennedy is the best candidate for Colorado’s working families,” said Steve Vairma, secretary-treasurer of the Denver-based Local 455, in a statement. “She is hardworking and focused on the middle class kitchen table issues that matter.”

The endorsement comes as the race is nearing the Democrats’ April 14 state assembly, where Kennedy will be vying with U.S. Rep. Jared Polis for delegate support in the gubernatorial primary.

Unions have been splitting their support between Kennedy and Polis. She’s won endorsements from the regional United Steelworkers District 12 union, Colorado Springs-based Pipefitters Local 58 union, the Colorado Education Association and the state chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. Polis has endorsements from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Denver-based Pipefitters Local 208 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Colorado State Conference of Electrical Workers

Kennedy is the only leading Democrat seeking a spot on the June primary ballot solely through the assembly process. Polis has also submitted nominating petitions, while Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne and former state Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, are just petitioning.

In its endorsement, the Teamsters local said it supports Kennedy because she “stands with working families and supports access to good-paying jobs, health care benefits and workplace protections” and pointed to her positions in favor of collective bargaining and against right-to-work policies.

“Cary Kennedy cares about education, workers, our economy and moving our state forward,” Vairma added. “We’re honored to endorse her for governor.”