Labor group endorses Democrat Brad Hutto in US Senate race

State Sen. Brad Hutto, running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in the race to unseat Lindsey Graham, picked up a labor endorsement Wednesday.

The state chapter of the AFL-CIO labor union organization endorsed the Orangeburg attorney, one of two Democrats running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Graham.

"Senator Hutto has always stood up for working families in the State House," said state AFL-CIO President Erin McKee. "(W)e can't wait for him to go to Washington where he will continue to stand up for the working men and women not only in SC but across this country.”

Hutto said he honored to receive the endorsement.

"Working men and women are the backbone of our country. I learned this first hand working on my family's farm. As a United Stated Senator, I'll be a fighter for working families and will always put them ahead of powerful special interests,” Hutto said.

Hutto has served in the South Carolina State Senate since 1996. He faces Democrat Jay Stamper in in June's primary.

This story was originally published May 14, 2014 at 10:17 PM with the headline "Labor group endorses Democrat Brad Hutto in US Senate race."