Schwartz Gets Teary Eyed

Council member Carol Schwartz (R-At Large), who faces a tough challenge from newcomer Patrick Mara, wiped tears away today when she accepted the endorsement of four locals of the Service Employees International Union.

Schwartz said she was moved by union leader Jaime Contreras, who called her "an irreplaceable voice" on the council.

The SEIU locals are supporting Schwartz mainly for her push of the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act, which makes the District the second city in the country to mandate paid sick days for workers.