Unions Still Carry Political Clout

Newswise — Historically, union support has helped put many candidates over the top in elections, from the local level through the presidency. Even though union membership has suffered a steady decline over the past 20 years, union endorsement still important for candidates. "Union support has a huge impact on election outcomes," says Judith King, M.A., director of UAB's Center for Labor Education and Research. "Union families are more likely to vote than non-union families. In recent congressional elections, they made up about 27 percent of the electorate. Unions also provide valuable resources to candidates " staffing phone banks, providing workers for rallies, people to put up signs and to help register voters. For many years to come, union support will continue to make a difference in election outcomes."