Carpenters Union Locals 247 in Portland, 1065 in Salem and Exterior and Interior Specialists Local 2154 (drywall hangers) have endorsed John Kroger for Oregon attorney general in the Democratic primary.

Kroger, a Lewis & Clark Law School professor and a former federal prosecutor is seeking the post being vacated by Democrat Hardy Myers, who is retiring and will not seek a fourth term in office.

“We need an aggressive attorney general that will defend the rights of workers and prosecute those that abuse our laws,” said Joe Baron, chairman of the Metrowide Endorsement Committee for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a member of Carpenters Local 247. “We need someone that will take a proactive and visible role. John Kroger will be that kind of attorney general.”

“These endorsements show that people want an attorney general who will fight for every single Oregonian,” Kroger said about the endorsements. “Every day in office I’m going to stand up for workers when labor laws are being violated and I’m going to work closely with the business community to build a healthy and sustainable economy.”

Kroger also has backing from former Gov. John Kitzhaber, and City Commissioners Erik Sten, Dan Saltzman and Randy Leonard.