The Culinary is political muscle: its endorsement means support for a candidate in the form of thousands of union members. It would be a boost to any of the Democrats currently fighting in a field in flux.
The Culinary’s parent union, UNITE HERE, has decided not to endorse in the 2020 contest. In 2008, the Culinary endorsed Barack Obama. In 2016 it made no endorsement.
Arguello-Kline did make clear what issue number one is for the union:
“We want to be clear about we want to have a choice... have a choice to keep our own healthcare,” she says.