Pope declared her candidacy at a gathering of supporters in New York on October 10: “Except for his last name, I don’t think anyone would confuse James Hoffa with his father,” said Pope. “We need a Teamster General President who will put the power of our union to work for the members.

“The Teamsters Union is the most powerful union in the world and we should start acting like it, instead of abandoning members and local unions to deal with the economic crisis on their own.”

Her campaign website is www.SandyPope2011.org

Her campaign raised $15,000 from concerned Teamsters on day one. A fund drive is underway to build the war chest needed to win.

The campaign’s first challenge is a petition drive to make Sandy an officially Accredited Candidate for General President. Teamsters are setting local goals and making plans to deliver a huge petition output. Read more about the petition drive here.

“Tough economic times require tough leadership,” said Pope. “Wall Street drove our economy over the cliff, but working people are the ones paying the price—and, too often, unions are the ones getting the blame. We need to stand up to that, not cave in.

“I’ve mobilized members to protect their health benefits and pensions while Hoffa has been giving away the store,” Pope said.

Pope has not chosen a slate, but is targeting the powerful position of General President. Slates and candidates will not be nominated until late June, 2011.

Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) has endorsed Sandy Pope and will support her candidacy. TDU’s Steering Committee voted unanimously to back the campaign, after consulting TDU chapters, and activists and members, along with other Teamster leaders.

Sandy will be speaking at the TDU Convention, November 5-7, in Chicago.

Pope ran for General Secretary Treasurer with Tom Leedham in 2006, and led the poll among potential challengers. Leedham is supporting Sandy’s campaign. He told a group of campaigners and Teamster leaders that: “We have the candidate who can win.”