AFSCME 2020 Public Service Forum

 
– video: AFSCME  |  C-SPAN – 
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Saturday, August 3, 2019 starting 9:00 a.m. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

19 CANDIDATES: Bennet, Biden, Booker, Bullock, Buttigieg, Castro, de Blasio, Delaney, Gabbard, Harris, Inslee, Klobuchar, Moulton, O'Rourke, Ryan, Sanders, Steyer, Warren, and Williamson.

Background: Participating candidates responded to a questionnaire that AFSCME sent to all announced presidential candidates in both major parties.  Gov. Steve Sisolak opened the forum. AFSCME President Lee Saunders followed, stating, "We need to hear from the candidates directly.  We want to know who they are and what they care about.  Even more importantly we want to make sure they know who we are and what we care about."  HuffPost Washington bureau chief Amanda Terkel and The Nevada Independent editor Jon Ralston moderated the forum.  Each candidate had a minute for an opening and a closing statement.  Candidates fielded questions from the moderators and AFSCME members in the audience and via video.
   


PUBLIC SERVICE FORUM AGENDA

On Saturday, August 3 at 9 a.m. PDT, 19 candidates for president will gather at the University of Nevada Las Vegas to answer questions from AFSCME public service workers as well as from HuffPost Washington Bureau Chief Amanda Terkel and The Nevada Independent Editor Jon Ralston. The forum will focus on the importance of investing in public services and protecting working people's right to join a union and negotiate for a better life. Candidates will lay out their visions for unrigging the rules of our economy and restoring power to working people.

CANDIDATE SPEAKING ORDER

The order was chosen in consultation with the moderators and campaigns to accommodate the candidates’ schedules.

Session 1:

  • Former Sec. Julián Castro
  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren
  • Rep. Seth Moulton
  • Gov. Steve Bullock
  • Former V.P. Joe Biden
  • Sen. Cory Booker
  • Marianne Williamson
  • Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke
  • Tom Steyer

Session 2:

  • Sen. Bernie Sanders
  • Mayor Bill de Blasio
  • Sen. Amy Klobuchar
  • Former Rep. John Delaney
  • Gov. Jay Inslee
  • Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
  • Rep. Tim Ryan
  • Sen. Kamala Harris
  • Sen. Michael Bennet
  • Mayor Pete Buttigieg



July 30, 2019 - digital ad run on LVJR website

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2019

2020 Public Service Forum is Largest Candidate Event in AFSCME History

With former Vice President Joe Biden confirming his participation on Tuesday, the AFSCME-sponsored presidential candidate forum on Aug. 3 will be the biggest event of its kind in our union’s history.

At least 19 presidential candidates will be participating in the 2020 Public Service Forum in Las Vegas. AFSCME members will have the opportunity to learn most presidential candidates’ plans to fight for working families, strengthen their ability to stand together in strong unions and unrig a system that favors the wealthy and the powerful.

In addition to Biden, the lineup of candidates includes Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Cory Booker, Gov. Steve Bullock, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Kamala Harris, Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Seth Moulton, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Tim Ryan, Sen. Bernie Sanders, business leader and philanthropist Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and author Marianne Williamson. The forum comes after the second Democratic primary debate, which will be held July 30-31.

The 2020 Public Services Forum will be held at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the audience will be made up of AFSCME members from Nevada and surrounding states, who’ll ask questions of the candidates in person and via videotape. All AFSCME members, regardless of where they live, will also have the chance to submit either written or video-recorded questions to candidates, from which several questions will be chosen to be presented to candidates.

Amanda Terkel of HuffPost and Jon Ralston of The Nevada Independent will moderate the daylong event, which you will be able to watch live at publicserviceforum.com.

As attacks on workers and their freedoms steadily continue, the 2020 election represents a crucial turning point, an opportunity to elect a candidate who’ll advance a substantive, specific vision for empowering workers and leveling an uneven playing field.

“AFSCME members want to hear candidates discuss their specific plans to invest in public services and to give working people a seat at the table by making it easier to join a union,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders said in a statement. “Candidates should lay out a vision for unrigging the rules of our economy and restoring power to working people.”
 
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2019
Contact: Nicky Vogt

Pete Buttigieg, Steve Bullock to Attend AFSCME Presidential Forum in Las Vegas

The South Bend mayor and Montana governor will join at least 15 other presidential candidates at the forum on Aug. 3 to answer questions from AFSCME members about the public services they provide to America’s communities.

LAS VEGAS — On Saturday, Aug. 3, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) will host the 2020 Public Service Forum, where presidential candidates will answer questions from AFSCME public service workers as well as from HuffPost Washington Bureau Chief Amanda Terkel and The Nevada Independent Editor Jon Ralston.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Gov. Steve Bullock join at least 15 other presidential candidates who are expected to participate, including Sen. Cory Booker, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Kamala Harris, Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Seth Moulton, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Tim Ryan, Sen. Bernie Sanders, business leader and philanthropist Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and author Marianne Williamson. The 2020 Public Service Forum comes on the heels of the second Democratic primary debate, which will be held July 30-31.

America’s public service workers will make their voices heard in this election. As they dedicate their lives to making our communities stronger, safer and healthier, they have a unique perspective into solving the problems Americans face every day. Whether they’re responding to emergency calls, driving our children to school, caring for our most vulnerable, keeping our streets clean, or doing any of the hundreds of jobs AFSCME members perform every day, people in public service deserve respect for their work and to have a voice on the job.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders: “We’re excited to see so many candidates embrace unions and public service workers who dedicate their lives to empowering their communities. To AFSCME members, public service isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. In this forum, AFSCME members want to hear candidates discuss their specific plans to invest in public services and to give working people a seat at the table by making it easier to join a union. Candidates should lay out a vision for unrigging the rules of our economy and restoring power to working people.”

WHO:  At least 17 presidential candidates are expected, including Sen. Cory Booker, Gov. Steve Bullock, mayor Pete Buttigieg, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Kamala Harris, Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Seth Moulton, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Tim Ryan, Sen. Bernie Sanders, business leader and philanthropist Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and author Marianne Williamson.

Moderated by:
  • Amanda Terkel, HuffPost Washington Bureau chief
  • Jon Ralston, The Nevada Independent editor
AFSCME Members  

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at 9:00am

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2019

AFSCME to Host 2020 Public Service Forum Moderated by HuffPost

At Least 15 Presidential Candidates Expected in Las Vegas on Aug. 3  to Answer Questions from AFSCME Members

LAS VEGAS — On Saturday, Aug. 3, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) will host the 2020 Public Service Forum, where presidential candidates will answer questions from AFSCME public service workers as well as from HuffPost Washington Bureau Chief Amanda Terkel and The Nevada Independent Editor Jon Ralston. The event will be livestreamed by HuffPost.

America’s public service workers will make their voices heard in this election. As they dedicate their lives to making our communities stronger, safer, and healthier, they have a unique perspective into solving the problems Americans face every day. Whether they’re responding to emergency calls, driving our children to school, caring for our most vulnerable, keeping our streets clean, or doing any of the hundreds of jobs AFSCME members perform every day, people in public service deserve respect for their work and to have a voice on the job.

At least 15 presidential candidates are expected, including Sen. Cory Booker, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Kamala Harris, Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Seth Moulton, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Tim Ryan, Sen. Bernie Sanders, business leader and philanthropist Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and author Marianne Williamson. The 2020 Public Service Forum comes on the heels of the second Democratic primary debate, which will be held July 30-31.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders: “Public service workers dedicate their lives to empowering their communities. And when they come together in a union, they win a voice on the job that lifts up their families and makes their communities even stronger. In this forum, AFSCME members want to hear candidates discuss their specific plans to invest in public services and to give working people a seat at the table by making it easier to join a union. Candidates should lay out a vision for unrigging the rules of our economy and restoring power to working people.”

HuffPost Washington Bureau Chief Amanda Terkel: “I could not be more excited to moderate this forum dedicated to issues critical to working people – issues at the core of HuffPost’s daily coverage. And we’re honored that the legendary Jon Ralston will be joining us on stage to question the candidates.”

The Nevada Independent Editor Jon Ralston: “I'm thrilled to be a part of this forum in Nevada. It's an honor to be with one of Washington's best journalists and to interview the candidates on topics of great interest to Nevadans and voters everywhere.”

WHO:  At least 15 presidential candidates are expected, including Sen. Cory Booker, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Kamala Harris, Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Seth Moulton, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Tim Ryan, Sen. Bernie Sanders, business leader and philanthropist Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and author Marianne Williamson. 

Moderated by:

  • Amanda Terkel, HuffPost Washington Bureau chief
  • Jon Ralston, The Nevada Independent editor
AFSCME Members

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at 9:00am