The Florida Pipe Trades union, representing more than 12,000 Floridians, announced on Monday that they were backing Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, for attorney general.

“The members of the Florida Pipe Trades are proud to endorse Sen. Dan Gelber in his campaign for Attorney General,” said Florida Pipe Trades union rep John Lindstrom. The union endorsed Gov. Charlie Crist for the U.S. Senate earlier in the month.

“During these challenging times, we need Dan’s leadership and passion to advance real solutions that will help families across Florida," continued Lindstrom. "And with Dan’s extensive legal background and experience in protecting Floridians, we will have an Attorney General prepared to maneuver the complex legal challenges ahead.”

“I am extremely grateful to have the support of the 12,000 workers of the Florida Pipe Trades because we share the same principles and passion to deliver new opportunities to working families,” said Gelber who is facing Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, for the Democratic nomination. “And as Florida’s next Attorney General, I will work with the men and women of the Pipe Trades to advance solutions that put the needs of working families and every day Floridians first.”