Five of Vermont's largest labor unions endorsed Democrat/Progressive David Zuckerman for governor at a news conference here Monday afternoon. Earlier in the day, the Zuckerman campaign announced public endorsements from a trio of the state's former Democratic governors -- Madeleine Kunin, Howard Dean and Peter Shumlin. "This is the most important election in our lifetimes and I need your help," Zuckerman told reporters. "There are real differences in the choice for governor."Zuckerman, now Vermont's lieutenant governor, won the backing of the Vermont State Employees Association, Vermont NEA teachers' union, the AFL-CIO-Vermont, the American Federation of Teachers and AFSCME-Local 1343 in Burlington. "Very few Vermont politicians share his historic commitment and dedication to ensure fairness for Vermont's state employees," said VSEA's Margaret Crowley. Last week a VPR-Vermont PBS poll found is Zuckerman trailing Republican Gov. Phil Scott by a wide margin. He is hoping a wave of new television advertising and anger over the Supreme Court fight and President Trump will help propel many more Democrats to vote this fall.Representatives from the five unions, who said they represent about 30,000 Vermont workers, said Zuckerman will help raise Vermont's minimum wage, pass paid family and medical leave and invest in economic recovery. In a statement to NBC5, Jason Maulucci, campaign manager for Scott, said "the governor has not actively sought endorsements from any organizations or interest groups this campaign and his record speaks for itself. Voters will make their decision based on his performance and vision for the state."