Gov. Bill Richardson Walks in the Shoes of Las Vegas Family Services Worker Mark Fitzgerald


Taking part in SEIU’s program to ensure presidential candidates experience firsthand what life is like for working people in America, Gov. Bill Richardson on June 7th walked a day in the shoes of SEIU member Mark Fitzgerald.

Their time began with an early morning breakfast at the Fitzgerald home in Las Vegas and continued at the Clark County Department of Family Services where Mark investigates and monitors injuries, deaths, and mental health issues involving very young children.

© Isaac Brekken - SEIU member and family services worker Mark Fitzgerald talks with a coworker and Gov. Bill Richardson







About Mark:
  • Member of SEIU Local 1107 in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Case Worker for the Clark County Department of Family Services where he supervises the Three and Under Team
  • Has worked in family and youth services for 23 years
  • Is a single parent. Has a 17-year-old son who he adopted when the boy was 4. Cared for him since the child was an infant.
  • Has been a foster parent for 17 years and currently cares for a 2-year-old child
More about Mark »
Mark’s reaction to the day »

All Candidates Invited to Walk A Day in a Member’s Shoes
“Walk a Day in My Shoes” is about making sure politicians truly know what the real world is like for the rest of us. SEIU members are inviting all candidates for political office to spend time in our lives, accompanying us on the job and spending time at home with our families.



© Isaac Brekken - Gov. Bill Richardson at the kitchen table of SEIU member and family services worker Mark Fitzgerald
© Isaac Brekken - Gov. Bill Richardson walks with SEIU member and family services worker Mark Fitzgerald








- SEIU video on YouTube
- See more photos on Flickr
- Mark’s reaction to the day
- Press release
- Associated Press story
- Las Vegas Review-Journal

Mark Fitzgerald: “Every day I go home worried if we made the right decisions about removing children from or reuniting them with their families. Those are hard decisions, but as a single dad, I know how important it is for kids to get the care and support they need. After today, I hope Governor Richardson has a better understanding of what it takes to be a single parent and a worker trying to give kids a better future.”

Tell the candidates what life is like in your shoes »

SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger: “When you are a single parent like Mark, your work is far from over when you pull into your driveway after a long day on the job. Presidential candidates need to understand what working people like Mark face each day. There’s no better way than by walking a day in his shoes.”


© Isaac Brekken - SEIU member and family services worker Mark Fitzgerald