Watch CBS News

Actor Martin Sheen Stumps For Governor Quinn, Calls For Raising Minimum Wage

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Governor Quinn brought out some star-power support for his re-election campaign: Martin Sheen, who played a president on TV for seven years.

It's been more than eight years since "The West Wing" was on first-run TV.

The actor who played President Jed Bartlett, Martin Sheen, was standing beside the real-life Governor Quinn in Pilsen - championing the need for a minimum wage increase.

Podcast

"This fight to raise the minimum wage is part of the fight for social justice, which is always demanding. And if this were not so, we'd be left to question its value. Governor Quinn has embraced this fight and he's made it the cornerstone of his campaign," Sheen said.

Governor Quinn has called for an increase in the minimum wage to at least $10 an hour - from the current $8.25.

"It's not enough. We've got to raise that wage," Quinn said.

Republican Bruce Rauner has said that he once was in favor of eliminating the minimum wage - or reducing it. But he has also said it was a mistake for him to focus on that.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.