The Michigan AFL-CIO on Wednesday endorsed Democrat Gretchen Whitmer in her run for governor, citing her track record of leadership that benefits working people.

"Working people in Michigan need a governor who will be in our corner," said Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, said in a press release.

"That's why we're endorsing Gretchen, because she's a strong progressive leader who's always had the backs of working families, and she's the only candidate in this race with a real plan to fix the damn roads and create more good-paying jobs for Michigan. Our members are ready to roll up their sleeves, knock on doors, make phone calls, and get out the vote to help elect Gretchen as our next governor."

The AFL-CIO, a federation of 42 unions in the state, includes more than one million active and retired members in Michigan.

The group hosted a series of town halls with Democratic candidates across the state as part of its decision-making process. The Michigan AFL-CIO's executive council approved the endorsement unanimously.

"Working people are the backbone of Michigan, and that's why I'm so proud to have the support of so many hardworking union members in this race," said Whitmer in a press release. "Michiganders have been working harder and harder, but working people aren't getting any more money in their pockets. When I'm governor, we're going to make smart investments to fix the roads, expand access to quality, affordable health care, and create jobs so that every hardworking Michigander gets a paycheck that can actually support a family."

Whitmer has also gotten endorsements from the United Auto Workers, the Michigan Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers Michigan. Another statewide union, the Michigan Nurses Association, endorsed Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

Other Democratic candidates for governor are Bill Cobbs, El-Sayed, Justin Giroux and Shri Thanedar.

On the Republican side, the candidates are Brian Calley, Patrick Colbeck, Joseph Derose, Jim Hines, Earl Lackie, Mark McFarlin, Bill Schuette and Evan Space.

Each party will select its candidate in an Aug. 7 primary, and the general election will take place on Nov. 6.