Iron Range Steel Workers Respond to McFadden's Comments

VIRGINIA - Minnesota Democrats are speaking out after Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden made a comment that angered Iron Range steel workers.Last week, McFadden stated he would not support requiring American steel for building the Keystone XL Pipeline.."That's my plant, right up there on that hill. That's the biggest taconite facility in this country. There's 1,400 people that work there that I represent. Those people count on our politicians to stick by us," John Malek, President of Steelworkers Local 1938, said while referring to a taconite plant.At a press conference Friday, Iron Range steel workers told FOX 21 they're upset a potential U.S. Senator would consider purchasing foreign steel."Frankly, I'm appalled. We count on Minnesota elected officials to stick up for us, to stick up for the workers that live here," said Malek.State Representatives were there to discuss the economic impact the steel industry has on Minnesota."This is about building the American economy, not lining the pockets of millionaires," said State Representative for Virginia, Jason Metsa."This isn't an issue that only rangers care about. Our taconite industry has a huge economic impact on Northeastern Minnesota and the entire state," said State Representative for Hibbing, Carly Melin.Many spoke of their fear of losing jobs in the area tied to mining."We need good paying jobs to support families. Tourism does not sustain families," said Babbitt Mayor Bernice Norregaard. "Nobody can compete with these miners standing behind me. When it comes to man hours it takes to make steel, to make iron ore pellets," said former State Representative Tom Rukavina.Those speaking out against McFadden want to stress that Minnesota produces the most tonage of taconite per man hour than anywhere else in the world and hope the impact of this industry remains important when political decisions are made.We reached out to McFadden and haven't heard back.He is running for Senator Al Franken's seat.Franken told FOX 21 that if the Keystone Pipeline is built, he wants to build it with American steel.McFadden was selected by the GOP in Tuesday's primary. The General Election is Nov. 4, 2014.