Union Voters Lead the Way to Election Victories Across the Country

From Kirk Gillenwaters, president Kentucky Allians for Retired Americans

Tuesday’s elections resulted in major victories for pro-retiree, pro-worker candidates and initiatives in states across the nation, including Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler (second from left) in Louisville for GOTV on election day, with Kentucky Alliance president Kirk Gillenwaters and Kentucky Alliance members Kay Tillow and Dale Warren

Kentucky Alliance members have worked to support Governor Andy Beshear’s reelection, with Alliance members appearing in television ads, joining with the Louisville chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute to drive voters to the polls. In Virginia union volunteers knocked on thousands of doors and ensured a pro-worker majority in the House of Delegates and state Senate. And in Pennsylvania, Daniel McCaffery won the vacant seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, once again bringing a 5-2 Democratic majority on the state’s high court.

Kentucky Alliance members and A. Philip Randolph Institute chapter members in Louisville volunteered to drive voters to the polls Tuesday.

In Texas, voters approved Proposition 9, which would allow the state to use about $3.4 billion to fund a cost-of-living adjustment for retired educators with 84% of the vote, the highest yes vote of 14 ballot measures. Texas Alliance members worked all year to ensure the measure passed.

“The labor movement and union retirees are still a force to be reckoned with,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “Tuesday night we were reminded of what we can accomplish by working together and focusing on issues that matter to working people no matter where they live.” 

“Alliance members showed up for these elections, and we must carry that momentum into 2024,” added Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “The senior vote will be key, as it is in every election.”

Thanks to all Alliance members who volunteered during the election campaign to help Governor Andy Beshear with his victory in Kentucky.

In Solidarity

Kirk