How Maine AFL-CIO-Endorsed Candidates Did This Election
While there were some major labor defeats in elections at the national level, in Maine, we were fortunate in that we were able to re-elect Congressman Jared Golden, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Senator Angus King to help fight for us in Congress. We also elected enough labor endorsed candidates to make a difference in the control of the Maine Legislature so that labor-friendly legislators will be in the majority and more likely to be appointed to chair committees and set the agenda.
Maine AFL-CIO President, Cynthia Phinney, released the following statement on Tuesday's elections:
“This past election our labor-endorsed candidates faced fierce political headwinds as anxiety over post-pandemic inflation and the rising cost of living created a massive public backlash against the party in power. This is not a unique phenomenon. For the first time since 1905, every governing party up for election in nations across the world has lost vote shares. However, here in Maine, all three of the Maine AFL-CIO federally endorsed candidates — Sen. King, Congressman Golden and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree — have prevailed. Our union canvassing teams also made a major difference in helping to stem the tide of anti-worker candidates and electing enough pro-labor candidates to maintain a more labor friendly majority in the Maine Legislature. We know that the incoming Presidential administration will appoint officials who are hostile toward our unions and will work to undo everything we’ve fought for. It is more important than ever that we stand together to push back any attacks, and to continue to build worker power and the labor movement.”
Between late August and election day, union canvassers did a fantastic job knocking on over 31,000 doors and had almost 12,000 conversations with voters for pro-labor legislative candidates. We know our work made a difference in an incredibly difficult political environment. It also developed the organizing skills of nearly forty union members who participated in the program.
Of the five state senate districts we canvassed in, three pro-labor candidates were elected, including Senators Mike Tipping (D-Penobscot), Chip Curry (D-Waldo) and Tim Nangle (D-Cumberland). Both Tipping and Nangle narrowly won their elections by 50.1 percent and 51.9 percent respectively. Our canvassers knocked on 3,717 doors and ID'd 813 voters in House District 98 to help elect IBEW 567 member & Western Maine Labor Council Vice President, Kilton Webb (D-Durham), who won by just 55 votes, pending a recount.
“I’m blown away and humbled by the amount of support I’ve gotten from friends all across the state,” said Brother Webb. “A campaign is not a solo endeavor. I truly could not have done it without everyone’s support!”
We also canvassed for labor-endorsed candidates Dave Rollins (D-Augusta) and Sharon Frost (I-Belgrade), who both won their elections. Sadly, union candidates Doris Poland (Windham - APWU), Scott Cuddy (IBEW 1253 - Winterport) and Scott Girardin, (LIUNA 327 - Sabattus) did not prevail in their elections. However, Cuddy did win Searsport, which is notable because his opponent made opposing the development of a wind turbine port in Searsport a key issue in the campaign.
Other union members and former union members elected to the Maine House of Representatives include:
- Matt Beck, IBEW 1837
- Amy Roeder, AEA, SAG-AFTRA, PATFA
- Bill Pluecker, MSEA-SEIU 1989
- Allison Hepler, AFUM
- Mike Lajoie, IAFF Local 785 (retired)
- Lydia Crafts, MEA (former)
- Parnell Terry, MEA
- Dan Shagoury, MSEA-SEIU 1989 (retired)
- Morgan Rielly, IBEW (former)
- Marc Malon, IBEW 1837 (former)
- Marshall Archer, MSEA (former)
- Ryan Fecteau, CWA Local 2336
- Julie McCabe, MEA
- Grayson Lookner, UFCW Local 400
- Lori Gramlich, MSEA (former)
Union members elected to the Maine Senate include:
- Joe Rafferty, MEA (retired)
- Mike Tipping, MSEA-SEIU 1989
- Cameron Reny, MEA
- Chip Curry, UMPSA
- Tim Nangle, IAFF
- Henry Ingwersen, MEA