AFL-CIO Mobilization Key to Beshear’s Re-election in Kentucky and Pivotal Wins in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Other States
Never bet against America’s workers. Tuesday night’s results showed the power working people have in electing pro-worker candidates, up and down the ballot, who will fight for us and stand up to wealthy corporate interests and extremists. In communities across the country, thousands of union volunteers engaged in deep discussions with fellow workers about the economic issues and freedoms that matter most, including reproductive rights. That’s the heart and soul of the labor movement’s political mobilization: one-on-one, face-to-face engagement on the issues that matter most to working people. As a result of those conversations, union member enthusiasm and engagement helped deliver key victories in critical races.
While the final results are still being tabulated, it’s crystal clear that working people pushed pro-worker candidates over the finish line, even in historically deep red states. Union voters powered Gov. Andy Beshear’s victory last night in Kentucky, delivering another term for a leader who stood shoulder to shoulder with workers throughout his first four years in office.
We congratulate Gov. Beshear on this tremendous win for workers and our families, and look forward to working closely with him to continue uplifting communities with good union jobs.
Across the country, workers fueled scores of victories from the top of the ballot on down. In Virginia, union volunteers knocked on thousands upon thousands of doors to provide the foundation of voter support needed to create a pro-worker majority in the House of Delegates and keep the majority in the state Senate. And union members led the way to historic wins in races in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and many other states, with close to 400 of our union member candidates winning their races, including an astounding 82% who ran in New Jersey.
Just because the election is over, it doesn’t mean the conversations stop. In fact, we’re just getting started. Unions are committed to a 365-day-a-year mobilization that deeply engages workers all year every year in our communities on issues we care about. As we head into 2024, the most consequential election in history, working people are poised to be the difference makers in state after state.
Contact: Steve Smith, 202-637-5018