Julie Su, candidate for Labor secretary to President Biden, was hailed as “a champion of the working class” at her Senate hearing Thursday, even though some Democrats were unwilling to show their support, creating uncertainty about her prospects for confirmation.

A few conservative Democrats had not publicly stated whether they would vote in favor of Su’s nomination ahead of Thursday’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Biden in February selected Su, a California civil rights attorney and deputy Labor secretary, to replace former Boston mayor Marty Walsh to head the department.

Su, the daughter of an immigrant mother who arrived on a cargo ship, would be the first Asian American of the Biden administration to serve in the cabinet at secretary level. Biden called her proof of the American dream last month and said she is committed to making sure that dream is achievable for every American.

Su tapped into that spirit in her testimony, sharing how her parents worked their way into the middle class through rewarding jobs and becoming entrepreneurs.

When he announced my nomination for Secretary of Labor, the president called me the American dream. My parents believed in it, I benefited from it and I want to do my part to make sure it’s a reality for workers across the country, Su said.

She had previously been confirmed as deputy Labor secretary, but faced opposition from some business groups who criticized her record as leader of California’s Labor department. They point to their support for a reversed California law that would have required app-based ride-hailing and delivery companies such as Uber and Lyft, as well as transportation companies, to treat their employees as employees and provide benefits such as paid sick leave and unemployment insurance. , rather than independent contractors.

Su was also blamed for troubles at the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when unprecedented numbers of people filing for unemployment benefits faced long waiting times and the state paid out billions of dollars in fraudulent claims .

Industry groups have launched billboards and digital ads against Su in West Virginia, Montana and Arizona, while unions have rallied to support Su.

Some business groups have endorsed her nomination, praising her skills in building consensus among competing interests during her time as California’s Labor secretary.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chair of the committees, expressed his support as he opened the hearing, saying the debate over Su has nothing to do with her qualifications.

This debate is really all about Julie Su being a champion of this country’s working class who will rise up against the forces of corporate greed, he said.

But Democratic Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, Jon Tester of Montana, and Mark Kelly of Arizona, as well as Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, all declined to say whether they would vote for her confirmation. Democrats can’t afford to lose more than a few votes in a Senate tied 51 to 49, especially given the absence of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) as she recovers from shingles.

Manchin repeatedly declined to comment on Su’s nomination this week; Tester said he would meet with her after the meeting to make sure she’s still right”; Kelly said he wasn’t worried about her track record, but he’s not previewing his votes; Sinema said through a spokeswoman that she has no vote preview.

Su was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 in her current role with 5,047 votes.

During her testimony, Su repeatedly referred to her work alongside Walsh and said that Biden had asked her to finish the job Secretary Walsh and I started.

Republicans appear united in opposition to Su’s confirmation. GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a floor speech that Su has a long track record for all the wrong reasons.

During the committee hearing, Republican senators questioned Su closely about whether she could forge relationships with industry groups and about her oversight of the California Labor Department in disbursing unemployment benefits for fraudulent claims during the pandemic.

The top Republican on the panel, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, accused Su of unfairly favoring unions, telling her, “We need a Labor secretary who is fair and unbiased in enforcing the country’s labor laws.”

Su smiled as she answered Republican questions, emphasizing that she knew the value of small business entrepreneurship through her parents. She said she was able to build relationships with labor and industry groups to help negotiate settlements and pointed out that Congress had lifted normal controls on unemployment claims for the increased benefits paid during the pandemic.

Late last year, Su was at the center of negotiations between labor and freight carriers, helping to avoid an economically debilitating strike. It has also led to efforts to combat wage theft.

Republicans also asked if they would promote a California standard that classifies many workers as employees rather than independent contractors.

Su said she wouldn’t and understands the value of independent contractors. But she also argued that it’s a problem in our economy that needs to be addressed when companies avoid minimum wage, overtime or unemployment insurance by classifying regular workers as independent contractors rather than employees.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote next week on whether to bring forward Su’s confirmation to a full chamber vote.