CANTON — Flanked by union leaders, Addie J. Russell said Tuesday that she'll fight in the state Assembly for working families.

The Democratic candidate for the 118th Assembly District proclaimed 18 union endorsements, including a dozen previously unannounced, at a small gathering at her St. Lawrence County headquarters.

The timing was right; the county Democratic Committee gave its Silas A. Wright award for contributions to the party to organized labor at its annual dinner hours later.

"Anything we've asked her to address, she's been there for us," said Dale R. Stehlin, field representative for Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local 2.

Mrs. Russell, a Jefferson County legislator from Theresa, shored up her stance on so-called working family issues by pledging to work at keeping health care affordable, increasing the minimum wage and offering property tax relief.

Aside from the bricklayers and allied craft workers, representatives of the Civil Service Employees Association, the Central Trades and Labor Council and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2032 were in attendance.

Mrs. Russell has received $9,900 in campaign contributions from labor unions and their political action committees.

She's running against Republican Clayton Town Councilman Robert W. "Bobby" Cantwell III and independent write-in candidate Donald J. Lucas, Massena.