Steve Marks, the former gubernatorial chief of staff locked in a tight Democratic primary battle with state Sen. Kurt Schrader in the 5th district, has picked up the endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555.

Marks said in a statement that he was honored to receive the union’s backing.

Marks added that he is committed to passing the Employee Free Choice Act, which would eliminate secret-ballot voting in contests where employees of a company are deciding whether to unionize. The Employee Free Choice Act, if passed, would allow unionization votes to be decided by checking a publicly viewable card.

The competitive 5th district seat is being vacated by retiring Rep. Darlene Hooley (D). The winner of the May 20 Democratic primary will face either 2006 nominee Mike Erickson (R) or former state GOP Chairman Kevin Mannix in November.

— David M. Drucker