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L.A. Union Member Closer to a Congressional Seat |
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With the Los Angeles union movement rallying around her, Laura Richardson (D), a Machinists (IAM) member and state assemblywoman, won a special primary election to fill the 37th Congressional District seat left open following the April death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D).
Richardson took 38 percent of the June 26 vote, but because she did not win a majority in the 18-candidate field, she faces an Aug. 21 run-off against the highest finishing Republican candidate in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor mobilized its members to turn out the vote for Richardson, with some 1,140 volunteers who knocked on 17,000 union family doors in Long Beach, Compton, Carson and south Los Angeles. They made 45,000 phone calls to union voters and helped distribute some 166,000 pieces of literature. Says Maria Elena Durazo, federation executive secretary-treasurer:
This is a victory for working families. They shared resources at every level and made sure the best candidate won. In helping turn out the vote to elect Laura Richardson, working men and women have shown that they stand with those candidates who stand with them—those who will fight day in and day out to give them a chance at joining or remaining in the middle. Laura has done just that as an elected official. She supported a living wage for hotel workers, opened the first job training center in Long Beach and supports unionized construction jobs.
Richardson is a former aide to Millender-McDonald and served on the Long Beach City Council from 2000 until being elected to the assembly in November.
At a rally with community and union supporters following the election victory, Richardson said her win came about
…because of all the people in this room who did their part. Everybody in this room did something and that’s why we see the results we see.
Richardson was a seasoned lawmaker before this congressional race, like many union members around the country who have been campaigning for and winning local and state offices for years. For the past several election cycles, the AFL-CIO has encouraged and trained union members in the nuts and bolts of successful campaigns. After all, who understands working family issues—health care, good jobs, education and more—better than union members? Some 3,500 union members have won office in recent years.
For more on union members in elected office, click here and here.
3 Comments
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This news is heartening seeing the union members are not sitting at home complaining but are standing up and fighting for their survival. We must remember we are brothers and sistes, a family. that must unite together
Please remember that California has six ballot qualified parties! Richardson is opposed not just by your unnamed republican but by a Libertarian and Green. The Green Party candidate is far better than Laura Richardson. The democrat served less than six months in the state legislature before running for Congress. She has very little experience.
Please stop denying us information about alternatives beyond the corporate duopoly. Workers need our own party, not more broken promises from Democrats - even if they are union members. This article shows that being union doesn’t mean one is pro-democracy. Denying the existence of alternative views is reactionary.
Laura has been a champion for workers while serving in the Long Beach City Council. She championed Labor Peace for Unite-HERE, she championed the Big Box Ordinance and she championed our issues as Teachers. Laura will great in Congress.