Target Govs., Senators
AFSCME, AFT Plan Fall Election Push

By HOWARD MEGDAL

With the 2004 defeat of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry still fresh in their minds, many unions are redoubling their efforts on behalf of pro-worker candidates in the upcoming November elections.

EDWARD J. McELROY: Grass-roots mobilization.

A spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said the union expects to spend $40 million on campaigns this fall.

Early Involvement

"We've chosen our targets earlier than ever before," AFSCME spokesman Eric Kleiman said in a phone interview. "We're focused on Governor's races, and also focused on key down-ballot races."

AFSCME has targeted 21 states, including the Governor's races in California, New York, Ohio, Maryland and Minnesota, all of which represent opportunities for Democrats to become their state's chief executive, and Michigan, where incumbent Democrat Jennifer Granholm is facing a stiff challenge from Republican Richard DeVos.

Mr. Kleiman declined to specify which House and Senate races AFSCME planned to target.

The American Federation of Teachers also plans to be involved in those gubernatorial races, while working actively in Senate races in Montana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Missouri. With incumbent Democrat Mark Dayton not running for re-election in Minnesota, the AFT plans to help defend that seat by working with Democrat Amy Klobuchar's campaign; the other states all have vulnerable Republican incumbents seeking re-election.

AFT: Governors First

The AFT's top priorities, however, are the governor's races.

"Let's face it: Governors have more direct impact in our member's lives," AFT spokeswoman Janet Bass noted in a recent interview, pointing out that educational funding mostly flows from the state level.

Both the AFT and AFSCME's plans involve more door-to-door focus featuring members who know the voters they are contacting, rather than paid canvassers.

"It's a response to some of the hard lessons taken out of the 2004 elections," Mr. Kleiman said. "The Republicans got a lot of praise for their Neighbor-to-Neighbor program."

He said the best way to describe AFSCME's 2006 effort is "Labor-to-Neighbor." The union also plans to ensure that at least 90 percent of its members are registered to vote, and that 25 percent contribute at least $100 to pro-labor candidates this fall.

The AFT focused on the need for activism this fall during its July convention. Union President Edward J. McElroy said in a statement, "We are going to continue to develop this grass-roots political mobilization. There is no other way to achieve what our union needs to do."