Some Wins, Some Losses for Workers

Voters turned out in November to redraw the battle lines of a Congress sharply divided, to elect 36 governors, reshape state legislatures, and settle hundreds of local and state ballot questions. Republican candidates, aided by President Bush, campaigned heavily on homeland security issues, and voters — still anxious in the wake of September 11th — responded favorably. Modest but strategic gains in the Congressional races increased the Republicans’ hold in the House by eight seats, and helped them win control of the Senate.

The support of working families clinched election-day victories for Governor-elect Jennifer Granholm in Michigan and Governor-elect Brad Henry in Oklahoma.

Despite Congressional losses, gubernatorial contests were less disappointing for working families in a number of states, including California, where Governor Gray Davis won his second term in office after a hard-fought, nationally-scrutinized battle. Labor-endorsed candidates also picked up important governorships in Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Labor activists will also be keeping a watchful eye on statehouses where Right-to-Work legislation has the greatest potential for gaining momentum, such as Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Although this was labor’s strongest push ever to mobilize union members in an effort to replace anti-union public officials, because of problems with exit polling and the Voter Service Network, labor leaders may never be able to assess the overall voting strength of union members in this election.

Turnout percentages aside, veteran pollsters Stan Greenberg and Robert Borosage reported to AFL-CIO affiliates that based on several joint post-election surveys conducted by the Campaign for America’s Future and the Democracy Corps, “the same voters who put Republicans in control of both houses of Congress also support a broad reform agenda,” including expanded health care coverage, an economic stimulus package that cancels the tax cut for the top one percent income bracket, and investments in school construction.” This disconnect between who they voted for, and the economic reforms they want, highlights the failure of pro-labor candidates to speak “collectively” about a “coherent plan for the economy,” and contributed to the losses in this election, according to Greenberg and Borosage.

“The challenge now,” says BAC President John J. Flynn, “is for our members to continue to stay informed on the issues, to make our voices heard, to fight for the reforms that most Americans want, and not to be snowed by smooth-talking politicians and special interests who blur the issues.” These are the keys to confronting the all-wealth-to-the-wealthy economics of the current administration.

BAC’s “Government Relations” webpage contains valuable tools to help members brush up on important issues and make their views known to members of Congress. For more information, visit www.bacweb.org and go to the “Government Relations” section, or call the Government Relations Department at 202-383-3116.