Mary Squires, Democratic candidate for Georgia Insurance Commissioner , announced today the endorsement of the State International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers .

Squires becomes the first state-wide candidate to receive a major labor endorsement.

“I've known Sen. Mary Squires for years. She's been a passionate champion of working families. She's been there for us in the trenches. She's the most qualified, most passionate, most dedicated candidate for Georgia Insurance Commissioner , and we are truly pleased to be able to endorse her in this race,” said Ben Myers, political director for IBEW local 613.

“I'm so honored to receive an endorsement like IBEW. As a single mom who raised two boys and worked union jobs at night to make ends meet, I know first hand how difficult it is for Georgia's hardworking families ,” said Squires. “And that's why the fight for quality, affordable healthcare for our families is so important to me. This isn't some bottom line item in a budget. This is day to day life for our families. This is vital. We have to fix this now. That's why I'm running, and I'm humbled to have IBEW as a partner in this fight.”

Squires was elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1998. Squires served two terms in the State House (1999-2003) and one term in the Georgia State Senate (2003-2005). In addition to her legislative experience, Squires served ten years in the Georgia Army National Guard as both an enlistedman and an officer. Mary Squires currently is the Executive Director of the Georgia Society of Professional Benefit Administrators, Inc., a self-insured health care trade association . Squires also serves as the Director of the Olive Industry Association, a national agriculture research and trade association. Squires and her husband Tom West of Augusta currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia and have four children.