Want to Run for Office? Take Our Worker Candidate Training - Jan. 24-25, 2026
Have you ever considered running for public office someday? Do you want to see more working class people in Augusta, on town council or school board? Would you like to help others with their campaigns? Come to the Maine AFL-CIO’s 2026 Worker Candidate Training on Jan. 24 and 25 in Augusta!
REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND
To win important labor victories like stronger collective bargaining rights, living wages, tax fairness, affordable housing, child care and health care, we need more union members and working-class allies making the decisions that affect us all. We know that union members make great candidates and will often carry labor's vision into elected office.
At our Worker Candidate Training we'll spend two days going over everything you need to know to run a campaign for elected office. You’ll learn how to create a campaign plan, knock on doors, speak in public, qualify for Clean Elections funding, develop a message, build a team of volunteers, and other key aspects of campaigning. You can attend if you are interested in running for office, learning more or helping out on campaigns.
Numerous union members have taken our worker candidate training and went on to win their elections including recently elected State Rep. Kilton Webb (IBEW 567), Rep. Matt beck (IBEW 1837), Portland City Councilors Kate Sykes (NWU) and Wes Pelletier, Sen. Joe Rafferty of Kennebunk (MEA), Rep. Amy Roeder of Bangor (PATFA-AFT, Actors Equity) Bangor City Councilor Daniel Carson, former legislators Kevin O'Connell (IBEW 1837), Scott Cuddy of Winterport and Tina Riley of Jay, both IBEW 1253 members, and many more.
We received feedback from our canvass program volunteers during the 2024 elections that union members are excited to support candidates that have union backgrounds, have had involvement in the labor movement and are familiar to the people doing the work to elect pro-labor folks across the state.
Who in your local would make a great candidate? Let us know!
Spread the word to your union's members. We need to elect more working people at all levels of government. If you are interested or just want to learn more, please email me at adam@maineaflcio.org or call 207-991-7000
We ask that local unions sponsor members to attend at $100 per person to cover the cost of food and materials. Scholarships are available, so please inquire as we don't want cost to be a barrier for participation.