Union Power Helps Drive Sweeping Election Victories

Working people made their voices heard at the ballot box on Tuesday, delivering critical victories for labor-endorsed candidates in New York City, New York State, and across our country. From the reelection of Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to wins in congressional and state legislative races, including Cait Conley's victory in the 17th Congressional District, we have a lot to be proud of.

These victories followed months of organizing and voter outreach by union members across the city. Through our NYC Labor Votes! member-to-member GOTV program, more than 1,300 volunteers from over 25 NYC CLC affiliate unions reached nearly 150,000 voters through calls, texts, and door knocks. That included our massive “17 on the 17th” Day of Action, when 300 NYC union members traveled to NY-17 and knocked nearly 5,000 doors in support of Cait Conley.

Across New York City, all 98 of the congressional and state legislative candidates endorsed through the NYS AFL-CIO won or were leading as of Thursday, alongside victories for all three statewide candidates. Those results include major pickups by Chris McCreight, Joyce Xie, and Larry He, as well as important re-election victories by Rep. Tom Suozzi and State Senators Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Toby Ann Stavisky.

Union voters also played a major role in the results nationwide. According to exit polls, union households drove victories that were decisive for control of Congress. Union voters made up a historic high of 15% of the overall electorate, and even higher in key battleground states.

We know that Election Day isn't the end of the work. We have to stay engaged, keep the lines of communication open, and continue working together to make sure the results are respected, those elected are seated, and working people have a strong voice in the next Congress.

Thanks again to all of our affiliates and their members who put in the work to get out the vote and make history!