The intense activism of AFSCME members across the country has paid off with pro-worker candidates winning control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate and making solid gains in many states.

By Wednesday morning, both chambers of Congress had pro-worker majorities that were continuing to grow.

AFSCME President Patrick Moran applauded the wins, saying: “This election victory was defined by a single issue – the fact that working families can’t get ahead, no matter how hard they work. Voters sent a clear message that they are fed up with a rigged economy that cuts taxes for billionaires and asks the rest of us to foot the bill.”

Voters’ mandate to the new Congress is to lower costs and support workers. And it comes after our union mobilized against anti-worker politicians and their billionaire backers.

AFSCME members organized around the clock, holding town halls, writing letters, making phone calls, holding one-on-one conversations, and knocking on doors to hold accountable the anti-worker extremists who sold out working families.

“[AFSCME members] are fed up with rising costs and attacks on critical public services, our freedom to vote and our voice on the job,” said Moran. “This victory gives Congress a clear mandate: It’s time to lower costs, rein in billionaires, and support workers.”

In Michigan, New Mexico, Iowa, Ohio, Nevada, Texas, Arizona and many other states, AFSCME members’ efforts and energy drove people to the polls and delivered huge wins for pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot.

“Now it’s time for these candidates to deliver change,” Moran said. “AFSCME members expect action.”

That means fixing our rigged economy to make life affordable for working people and retirees. It means fully funding public services and restoring cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and other services made by the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” And it means strengthening and expanding workers’ rights to ensure everyone has the freedom to join a union and collectively bargain for fair pay, good benefits, and safe working conditions.

Pro-worker candidates also won majorities in many state legislatures. Thanks in part to AFSCME members’ mobilization and hard work, there will be new pro-worker trifectas – where worker-friendly lawmakers control the governor’s office and both chambers of the legislature – in at least six states: Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Pro-worker candidates also won gubernatorial races in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas, all states where anti-worker politicians have traditionally dominated. More states could see major changes in the balance of power in state government as more elections are called in the coming days.