The Washington State Labor Council has endorsed U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, for a sixth term.

Larsen has represented the Second Congressional District since 2001. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Budget Committee.

The primary election is Aug. 17; the general election is Nov. 2. Other candidates are Larry Kalb, Democrat, president of Health Care for All and former chairman of the Washington State Progressive Caucus; John Koster, Republican, Snohomish County Council member; and Diana McGinness, Democrat, a retired insurance fraud investigator.

“Rep. Rick Larsen has been a champion for labor in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Labor Council president Rick Bender said in a press release. “Members of the Washington State Labor Council know that he is fighting day in and day out to improve the lives of working families and get our economy back on track.”

Mike Sells, secretary and treasurer of the Snohomish County Labor Council, added, “Workers in this community know that Rep. Rick Larsen will continue to be a strong voice for us. Whether it’s voting for affordable health care or working to grow our economy, he is constantly standing up for the needs of local workers. As we continue to struggle in this recession, we need Rep. Larsen so we can make sure our workforce has a friend in Congress.”

There are currently more than 500 local unions affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council, representing about 400,000 union members from across the state, including members from the Snohomish County Labor Council and the Northwest Labor Council.