In key swing races, Republicans are gaining union support, challenging the Democrats’ traditional stronghold in organized labor.
In a surprising turn of events, moderate Republican lawmakers are beginning to distance themselves from their party’s traditionally anti-union stance. This shift is particularly evident in the Northeast, where building trades and blue-collar unions are showing support for certain Republican candidates in key House races.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters president expressed praise for a Republican congressman on national television, while a major transportation union rated another as one of its most loyal supporters in Congress. Additionally, an influential building trades group highlighted a third Republican as someone who could help restore unity in the country.
Despite the Republican Party’s historical antagonism towards labor unions, these moderate Republican lawmakers are attracting support from union groups as they defend swing seats in the upcoming elections. This unexpected alliance has added a new dynamic to several crucial races that could impact the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
For example, in New York’s Hudson Valley, Representative Mike Lawler has received significant union donations, surpassing those of his Democratic opponent. In upstate New York, an electrical workers’ union that previously opposed Representative Marc Molinaro is now actively supporting his re-election campaign. Similarly, in New Jersey, the Building and Construction Trades Council has switched sides to endorse Representative Tom Kean Jr., even influencing the A.F.L.-C.I.O. to remain neutral in the race.
While the Republican Party is still perceived as anti-worker by many labor unions, the support for moderate Republican candidates signals a growing frustration with Democrats who may be taking union backing for granted. John Samuelsen, the leader of the Transport Workers Union of America, which has backed several Republicans in contentious races, acknowledged this shift in union support towards moderate Republicans.
As the election approaches, the alignment of labor unions with moderate Republican candidates in traditionally Democratic strongholds like the Northeast has introduced an element of unpredictability into the political landscape. This evolving relationship between unions and the Republican Party could have far-reaching implications for the future of labor politics in the United States.
Source: The NY Times
