Union Members Take Part in Maine AFL-CIO 2024 Worker Candidate Training

Our 2024 Worker Candidate Training last weekend was a great success as union members and allies from across the state came to Augusta for the two-day training. Workers from several different unions including Laborers 327, MSEA-SEIU 1989, Machinists Local S6, UAW 2320, Plumbers & Pipefitters 788, Maine Education Association, Painters’ Union (IUPAT) 1915, IBEW 567 and others learned how to plan election campaigns, engage with voters, run in difficult districts, develop a message, knock on doors, give a good stump speech and more. 
 

IBEW 567 member Kilton Webb said his favorite part of the training was practicing how to knock on doors and engage with votes.

“It was a lot of fun going up there and giving it our best honest shot, seeing what it felt like and getting the feedback from the room,” said Webb. “There were a lot of people there who had done some door knocking, so there was a lot of valuable information.”

He said he also enjoyed learning how to hone his campaign messaging and practicing his stump speech on the second day.

LIUNA 327 member Scott Girardin of Sabattus said he was impressed at how supportive everyone was at the training and how many resources are available to help worker candidates.

“It was awesome and had good information,” said Girardin. “It was really decent to be around a lot of good, supportive people in a really relaxed environment."

Sen. Troy Jackson plays a member of the wealthiest 10% during a Common Sense Economics activity 
 

At the training, Senator Troy Jackson gave attendees a pep talk and explained how working people can really make a difference serving in elected office. Former Rep. Scott Cuddy of Winterport gave a presentation about how to win elections in swing districts and Senator Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland Cty) provided feedback on participant stump speeches. We’re excited that so many great working class candidates are considering running to office!

“I would definitely recommend this training for anyone who has ever thought of running for office themselves or have a union sibling who is running and could help support them,” said Webb. “It was just a great training overall and there were a ton of take-aways to be had from it.”