![Brenda Morisette and 5CD Candidates](https://www.seiu1199ne.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Hospital-PCA-Brenda-Morisette-asks-5CD-candidates-about-hospital-forprofit-takeover-300x225.jpg)
Kicking off the 2012 elections, hundreds of 1199 and other SEIU members gathered at our annual Political Action Conference in mid-January, held at Central Connecticut State University.
“It’s important for healthcare workers to be here, because politics runs the world,” said Ellen Jeffries, a CNA from Blair Manor nursing home. “The class warfare against working people scares me. The rich 1% will get out and vote. We can’t let someone decide for us – we have to vote!”
At the conference, members interviewed candidates running for U.S. Congress and seeking 1199’s endorsement, including:
- Susan Bysewicz, Chris Murphy, & William Tong — each running to replace retiring U.S. Senator Lieberman
- Chris Donovan, Elizabeth Esty, & Dan Roberti – each running to become the new U.S. Representative in the 5th Congressional District (Waterbury, New Britain, Meriden, Danbury and western CT region)
- Jim Himes – running for re-election to U.S. Representative – 4th CD (Fairfield County)
- Joe Courtney – running for re-election to U.S. Representative – 2nd CD (Eastern CT)
![Members voting](https://www.seiu1199ne.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Members-vote-on-candidate-recommendations-1024x384.jpg)
As always, 1199 members then together discussed the pros and cons of each candidate and made recommendations on who 1199 should support. These recommendations are then forwarded to the elected rank-and-file 1199 Executive Board for final action.