Jessyn Farrell is a former state legislator from northeast Seattle.
Jessyn Farrell is a former state legislator from northeast Seattle. nate gowdy

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 21 has endorsed Jessyn Farrell for mayor, citing her work on last year's statewide minimum wage campaign and legislation to provide on-the-job protections for pregnant people.

UFCW 21 says it is the state's largest private-sector union and represents more than 44,000 grocery, retail, health care, and meat processing workers.

"My fellow members and I want a mayor who not only shares our values, but also knows how to turn those values into policy," Jeanette Randall, a Safeway worker and member of the union's executive board, said in a statement today.

UFCW 21's endorsement comes after a string of legislative district Democratic groups endorsed in the race, with Farrell and State Senator Bob Hasegawa winning most of those endorsements.

In 2009 and 2013, UFCW 21 supported former mayor Mike McGinn, who this year is running again.

"While we stand behind those past decisions, we believe that Farrell’s strengths all combined together outshine any of the other candidates in the race," the union said in a press release. "She is unquestionably the right choice for the progressive future that UFCW 21 members who live and work in Seattle need."

Earlier this year, UFCW 21 endorsed incumbent Ed Murray, who dropped his bid for re-election in May amid allegations of sexual abuse. After those allegations surfaced, UFCW 21 and every other union on Murray's endorsement list stuck with the mayor.

Most other unions have so far held off on endorsing a new candidate in this year's crowded field. The Seattle Education Association has endorsed Nikkita Oliver and Bob Hasegawa.