“AFSCME family! The midterm elections are just 75 days away. That’s 75 days to give it everything we got, 75 days to elect pro-worker champions, 75 days to make history!” declared Brandon Brown, a member of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, during the powerful opening of the “Midterm Moment” program at the AFSCME 47th International Convention in Chicago on Thursday.
“To strengthen our public services, our communities, and our freedoms, we’ve got to vote like our lives depend on it — all of us,” said Brown. “We have the power to stop the corruption. We have the power to end tax breaks for billionaires. We have the power to fund our jobs. We have the power to get things back on track.”
AFSCME members were out in full force for a sports-themed member mobilization.
Dani Adams, from Iowa Council 61, said, “I’m ready, AFSCME family! Groceries. Rent. Child care. Prescriptions. It’s all going up. All while billionaires get tax breaks. We are done watching our government reward the people at the top while we get left behind.”
That’s why she’s standing behind pro-worker champions who will have our backs.
Billy Stapleton, a member of the Alaska State Employees Association, is focused on electing two pro-worker candidates to Congress: Mary Peltola to the Senate and Bill Hill to the House of Representatives.
“In Alaska, we cross mountains, rivers and tundras to get stuff done. We’re ready to do whatever it takes — not just for us, but for generations to come,” he said.
Lois Carson’s game plan in Ohio is to elect proven champions of working families.
Carson, a member of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, said, “We’re using our voice to send Sherrod Brown back to the Senate. He expanded Social Security. He protected workers’ voices on the job. We’ve got to fight for him because he will fight for Ohio families. So will Dr. Amy Acton, who will be the most pro-union governor in Ohio history!”
Maria Velasco, of Arizona Local 449, is putting it all on the line to reelect Gov. Katie Hobbs, an AFSCME member, as well as Attorney General Kris Mayes.
“We’re going to use our voices to reelect them both,” said Velasco. “Who are YOU going to elect, AFSCME family?”
Sudan Mohammed of Pennsylvania District Council 33 is hitting the streets and getting out the vote.
“We’re registering voters. We’re making sure our neighbors know where and how to vote. We’re ready for Election Day but it’s going to take all of us to get the job done,” Mohammed said.
Dawn Ashford, a Nevada Local 4041 member who is supporting Attorney General Aaron Ford for governor, vowed to protect public services at the ballot box.
“He understands what working people are going through because he’s lived it and he will stand for us,” Ashford said.
She is also supporting Nicole Cannizzaro for attorney general.
“Nevada is fired up and ready to win,” Ashford said. “AFSCME family: Are you fired up and ready to win?”
The resounding answer from AFSCME members in the audience? Yes!
