AFSCME endorses Topinka

What to make of this?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Illinois's largest state employee union is endorsing Judy Baar Topinka in the Republican primary for governor, but is making no endorsement in the Democratic race.

In 2002, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees endorsed Governor Rod Blagojevich in both the primary and general elections.

But spokesman Anders Lindall says many of the union's members aren't endorsing Blagojevich this time because they are disappointed with his administration.

The union represents 100-thousand active and retired state workers.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Edwin Eisendrath said the union's endorsement of Topinka boosts his campaign.

Phone messages left with the Blagojevich campaign were not immediately returned.

Lindall says the union has endorsed Republican candidates for governor in the past, including Jim Thompson in 1986.

Does this say almost as much about the recent inclination of several major unions to break from both traditional labor coalitions as well as the Democratic party as it does about Blago?