Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is actively seeking and securing endorsements from labor unions in his campaign for New York's 17th congressional district, a swing seat where organized labor holds significant influence. Lawler, a two-term congressman, faces Democrat Cait Conley in a race that could be pivotal in determining party control of the House of Representatives.
The 17th District, encompassing Rockland County and parts of Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, has a substantial union presence, with one-third of its residents belonging to union households. This demographic makes labor support a critical factor in the election outcome.
Lawler announced that 20 unions have endorsed his re-election campaign, including several AFL-CIO affiliates that have diverged from the umbrella organization's endorsement of Conley. Among Lawler's union supporters are the Transport Workers Union, various Teamsters locals, construction trade unions, and maritime worker organizations. His campaign noted that he has garnered more union endorsements than in his previous election cycle, where he reportedly secured 17 such nods.
"I’m deeply honored to have the endorsements of a broad coalition of labor unions representing the men and women who build our roads and buildings, deliver our packages, run our trains, crew our ships, move our mail, keep our communities safe, and keep the government running," Lawler stated. "I’ll never stop fighting for the workers who are the backbone of the Hudson Valley economy, and I’ll work every day to keep their support and their respect."
Supporters of Lawler's pro-labor stance include John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union International, who cited Lawler's "90% voting record with us" and his support for surface transportation bills. Other transportation-related unions, such as the New York Teamsters Joint Council, Teamsters Local 456, SMART Transportation Division, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, have also endorsed Lawler. Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is expected to campaign with Lawler in the district.
Lawler also holds the endorsements of 11 law enforcement unions and police organizations.
Conversely, Conley's campaign highlighted her endorsements from unions representing a majority of labor households in the district and criticized Lawler's record, pointing to a lifetime score of 23 from the AFL-CIO, indicating anti-labor positions on numerous bills. A spokesperson for Conley asserted that Lawler is "no friend to organized labor and working families," citing votes related to tax-free status for unions and his refusal to co-sponsor the PRO Act.
"Whether he’s voting to allow Donald Trump to strip unions of their tax-free status and make it easier for him to overturn worker protections or he’s refusing to co-sponsor the PRO Act to defend the right to organize, Mike Lawler is no friend to organized labor and working families," said Conley spokesperson Maddy Rosen. "From healthcare workers to teachers to retail workers and more, Cait is proud to be supported by so many hardworking men and women, whom she will fight for every day in Congress."
Cait Conley, an Army veteran, has received backing from major organizations including the New York State AFL-CIO, New York State United Teachers, health care workers union 1199 SEIU, the Civil Service Employees Association, the Communication Workers of America, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and Theatrical Stage Employees Local One.
Joshua Freeman, a labor historian and professor emeritus at the CUNY Graduate Center, noted that the actual impact of union endorsements depends on the mobilization efforts undertaken by the unions. "It depends on what actions the unions takes. A union can help mobilize members to vote for a candidate with phone banks," Freeman said.