Voters rejected “creeping authoritarianism” and elected a slew of pro-worker candidates to federal, state and local offices in this week’s mid-term elections, said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. Some races, especially out West, are still undecided, pro-worker candidates generally fared well on Tuesday.
Saunders provided an early analysis of the election results in a statement on Wednesday. Here’s his statement in full:
“The 2022 midterm elections are a big win for working people and a striking rebuke to creeping authoritarianism in America.
“While the economy remains a concern for many, there is no doubt working people have made progress over the past two years – from low unemployment to lower prescription drug costs to student debt relief. Last night, working people chose this progress over political extremists hellbent on taking away our rights and freedoms. In other words, gas prices are temporary; authoritarianism is forever.
“As a union of 1.4 million public service workers, AFSCME congratulates the numerous pro-worker senators, representatives, governors, state legislators and many others who won their elections last night. Candidates up and down the ballot proudly embraced the union label and we look forward to working with them to continue making progress for working people nationwide.
“As the labor movement has done throughout history, AFSCME is proud to stand up and fight for democracy.”