WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local Unions across the country celebrated victories for union-backed candidates in the House, the Senate, governors’ mansions, attorney general offices, and state legislatures across the country.
In Kansas, UFCW Local 2 President Martin Rosas celebrated the election of State Sen. Cindy Holscher as governor, the election of Adam Hamilton – the first Kansas Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in nearly a century – and the election of Chris Mann as Kansas Attorney General:
“UFCW Local 2 is proud to congratulate Governor-elect Holscher, Senator-elect Hamilton and Attorney General-elect Mann on their historic victories. With record-high prices, Kansans have left no doubt that they want change, and they elected leaders they know will work to make life more affordable and bring good, union jobs to our state.
“Less than two months ago, the Trump administration brought chaos and fear into our communities and disrupted our beef and agricultural industries when it deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into Southwestern Kansas. But Kansans are resilient, and they will continue to stand united against politicians whose actions weaken our state, just like they did last night.
“We look forward to working with Governor-elect Holscher, Senator-elect Hamilton, Attorney General-elect Mann and all pro-worker candidates in Kansas.”
In Texas, UFCW Local 455 President Brandon Hopkins, UFCW Local 540 President Felipe Mendez, and UFCW Local 1000 President Ricky Burris cheered State Rep. Gina Hinojosa’s election as Texas governor and State Rep. James Talarico’s election to the U.S. Senate:
“Last night, Texans won a generational victory by electing Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico. From meatpacking communities to big cities, working people made their voices heard. By rejecting politicians who had led this state for more than a decade, Texans chose a new path. We congratulate Governor-elect Hinojosa and Senator-elect Talarico on their wins.
“Workers deserve leaders who will lower the cost of living, create good jobs, and protect their communities. We know that Governor-elect Hinojosa and Senator-elect Talarico will fight for UFCW members in our state’s meatpacking plants, grocery stores, and other essential workplaces. We look forward to working with them and all pro-worker candidates in Texas.”
In Wisconsin, UFCW Local 1473 President Jake Bailey celebrated the victory of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the state’s governor’s race and the shift of power in the state legislature:
“After essentially three decades of Republican control, Wisconsinites made history and flipped the state legislature by electing a slate of candidates who will fight for working people. And with Governor-elect Crowley, this new trifecta in Madison can overturn the ‘Right to Work For Less’ law that has harmed workers here for more than a decade. Workers in our state have felt this pain for too long; it’s time to end it.
“High prices continue to put a strain on family budgets, as the last two elections have shown. Wisconsin lawmakers must tackle the predatory pricing tactics that rip off shoppers and ban electronic shelf labels, the tech that facilitates it in our state’s grocery stores. We have an opportunity to prevent future price hikes and protect good grocery jobs in our communities. Let’s not waste it.
“These historic victories could not have happened without UFCW members, who knocked on doors, attended rallies, and showed up to vote across Wisconsin for pro-labor candidates up and down the ballot. We congratulate Governor-elect Crowley and all the pro-worker candidates on this victory and look forward to working with the entire Wisconsin legislature to fight for common-sense legislation for both workers and consumers.”
In Arizona, UFCW Local 99 President Jim McLaughlin recognized the new Democratic trifecta in the state, with the re-election of Gov. Katie Hobbs:
“When I say that working people could not afford to sit out this election cycle, I mean that literally. That is why our Union supported candidates at every level of government who are laser focused on making life more affordable for our members and their families. While there are more votes to be counted and key races remain uncalled, the results have shown overwhelmingly that everyday Arizonans are tired of being ignored. They’re tired of breaking the bank just to put food on the table and gas in their tank. Now, workers are demanding leaders who will champion their issues, from living wages, to healthcare access, to affordability, and take swift action to make their lives better.
“On behalf of our 25,000 members and their families, I am proud to congratulate last night’s winners, including Governor Hobbs, Attorney General Mayes, Secretary Fontes, and many others up and down the ballot. I am also closely watching results from CD-6, where I know JoAnna Mendoza will make an excellent Congresswoman if elected. From Phoenix City Hall to the halls of power in Washington, we look forward to holding you accountable to your campaign promises and partnering together to build an Arizona that works for working families.”
In Georgia, UFCW Local 1996 President Eric Taylor commended the election of former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms as governor, and the reelection of Sen. Jon Ossoff:
“UFCW Local 1996 is proud to congratulate Governor-elect Lance Bottoms and Senator Ossoff on their victories. Governor-elect Lance Bottoms has made history as the first Black woman to ever serve as a governor. I want to thank the UFCW members who rallied at events, knocked on doors, made phone calls, and got out the vote.
“Last night, there was a vote for change. Workers and their families are sick of sky-high prices, and want leaders to make life more affordable and bring good, union jobs to our state. We look forward to working with Governor-elect Lance Bottoms, Senator Ossoff, and all pro-worker candidates in Georgia to make that a reality.”
In Iowa, UFCW Local 222IN President Leo Kanne, UFCW Local 431 President Simplice Kuelo, and UFCW Local 1846 President Brian Ulin applauded State Auditor Rob Sand’s election as Iowa governor and State Sen. Josh Turek’s election to the U.S. Senate.:
“We are excited to congratulate Governor-elect Sand and Senator-elect Turek on their victories. They ran campaigns that spoke to the pain Iowans are feeling under high prices. Our state has felt the impact of the Trump administration’s tariff war and the war in Iran, which has hurt our farmers, jacked up diesel prices, and cut off export markets for the meatpackers that employ thousands of UFCW members.
“Iowans voted for change. We look forward to working with Governor-elect Sand, Senator-elect Turek, and all newly-elected pro-worker candidates in Iowa to deliver that change for our state.”
In Ohio, UFCW Local 75 President Kevin Garvey, UFCW Local 880 President Carl Green, and UFCW Local 1059 President Mike Nichols cheered the election of Dr. Amy Acton as governor, Sherrod Brown as senator, and all the pro-worker candidates elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislature.
“Last night, working Ohioans won big by electing pro-labor candidates up and down the ballot. As prices soar and squeeze hard-working Ohio families, Ohioans cast their ballots for leaders who will make life more affordable and bring good, union jobs to our state.
“We thank UFCW members, who stood arm-in-arm across Ohio as they knocked doors, attended rallies, made phone calls, and showed up at the ballot box to demand change. Their solidarity proves that no amount of money can silence the voices of working people. We look forward to working with Governor-elect Acton, Senator-elect Brown, and all newly-elected pro-worker leaders in Ohio.”
In Nevada, UFCW Local 711 President Mike Gittings celebrated the victory of Attorney General Aaron Ford in the state’s governor’s race, creating a new trifecta with Nevada’s legislature:
“Working Nevadans made their voices heard last night and voted decisively for Attorney General Ford to be our next governor. His message spoke to the needs of working people across our state, especially his promise to overturn the ‘Right to Work For Less’ law that has harmed workers here for decades.
“Nevada lawmakers also must tackle affordability. The last two elections have shown that high prices continue to put a strain on family budgets. The legislature’s first goal should be curbing predatory pricing that rips off shoppers and banning electronic shelf labels, the technology that facilitates these tactics in our state’s retail stores. By tackling these issues now, lawmakers can prevent future price hikes and protect good grocery jobs.
“These historic victories could not have happened without union members, who knocked on doors, attended rallies, and showed up to vote across Nevada for pro-labor candidates up and down the ballot. We congratulate Governor-elect Ford on his victory and look forward to working with him and the entire Nevada legislature to make strides for workers and consumers in our communities.”
CONTACT: Finn Storer press@ufcw.org
