The Carpenters’ District Council of Kansas City & Vicinity has become the latest Carpenters’ group to endorse state Treasurer Sarah Steelman’s re-election.

Last month, the St. Louis District Council endorsed Steelman, a Republican.

So far, her only Democratic rival is Arnold Mayor Mark Powell.

The Kansas City Council said in a statement that Steelman “has the experience and extensive background representing ‘working people.’ “

“When the Carpenters Union supports a candidate; it usually means they have picked a winner,” said Political Director and Organizer Joe Hudson. He noted that the council has more than 14,000 members.

The statement added, “Steelman won acclaim from carpenters and many others around the state as former chairman of the MHDC (Missouri Housing Development Corporation) when she led the effort to address the problems caused by the use of illegal workers on MHDC projects.”