Blab Politics
Unions Turn to Their Own: ASU Study Highlights Rise of Labor Candidates in Local and State Politics
When a locomotive engineer in Boston’s suburbs is elected to his town’s executive board, the story feels less like a quirky career change and more like a glimpse of a new political pipeline.
Arizona State University’s Center for Work and Democracy has mapped that pipeline. In a recent report, the study points out a paradox that has long intrigued political observers: labor unions are among the most trusted institutions in the United States, yet their presence in elected office remains disproportionately low. The authors argue that the most direct way to turn public trust into policy influence is to encourage union members to run for public office.
The report highlights two concrete examples that illustrate this emerging trend. On May 16, Daniel Cadogan—a locomotive engineer for Keolis and the chairman of the New England Legislative Board—was elected selectman in Plympton, Massachusetts. The selectmen serve as the town’s executive body, analogous to a city council. Cadogan told reporters, “If you don’t like your leaders, become one,” underscoring how local representation can resonate with workers.
Across the country, Dan Goughnour of Teamsters Local 205 near Pittsburgh won a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last year. His victory shows that union members can translate their on‑the‑ground experience into statewide legislative influence.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) has been at the forefront of supporting these moves. Its Department of Political and Legislative Affairs, together with the Education Department, offers two training programs aimed at union members who want to run for office. A single‑day workshop covers the basics of launching a campaign, while a more intensive, multi‑day course delves into strategy, fundraising, and the resources IBT can provide to help candidates win.
IBT encourages interested members to download its Member Candidate brochure or to contact Scott Hardenbrook of the Department of Political and Legislative Affairs for more information.
Beyond these individual stories, the ASU study places the trend in a broader context. Public approval of unions is at the highest level since 1965, yet that approval has not translated into proportional political representation. The study notes that union density in the United States has fallen from 20.1 % in 1983 to 9.4 % in 2024, with private‑sector membership at 6.0 % and public‑sector membership at 33.1 %. Despite the decline, unions remain a key part of the Democratic Party’s base and continue to mobilize voters.
The authors recommend that unions keep building pathways for members to enter politics—through mentorship programs, campaign training, and financial support. They also stress the importance of forming coalitions with other progressive organizations to broaden electoral appeal.
For now, Cadogan and Goughnour represent early successes in a strategy that could reshape the political landscape for labor. Whether the trend will grow beyond a handful of local and state races remains to be seen, but the ASU report offers a clear framework for unions that wish to translate public trust into tangible political power.
The Center for Work and Democracy has made the full report available online for those interested in the data and analysis behind these findings.
Arizona State University’s Center for Work and Democracy has mapped that pipeline. In a recent report, the study points out a paradox that has long intrigued political observers: labor unions are among the most trusted institutions in the United States, yet their presence in elected office remains disproportionately low. The authors argue that the most direct way to turn public trust into policy influence is to encourage union members to run for public office.
The report highlights two concrete examples that illustrate this emerging trend. On May 16, Daniel Cadogan—a locomotive engineer for Keolis and the chairman of the New England Legislative Board—was elected selectman in Plympton, Massachusetts. The selectmen serve as the town’s executive body, analogous to a city council. Cadogan told reporters, “If you don’t like your leaders, become one,” underscoring how local representation can resonate with workers.
Across the country, Dan Goughnour of Teamsters Local 205 near Pittsburgh won a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last year. His victory shows that union members can translate their on‑the‑ground experience into statewide legislative influence.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) has been at the forefront of supporting these moves. Its Department of Political and Legislative Affairs, together with the Education Department, offers two training programs aimed at union members who want to run for office. A single‑day workshop covers the basics of launching a campaign, while a more intensive, multi‑day course delves into strategy, fundraising, and the resources IBT can provide to help candidates win.
IBT encourages interested members to download its Member Candidate brochure or to contact Scott Hardenbrook of the Department of Political and Legislative Affairs for more information.
Beyond these individual stories, the ASU study places the trend in a broader context. Public approval of unions is at the highest level since 1965, yet that approval has not translated into proportional political representation. The study notes that union density in the United States has fallen from 20.1 % in 1983 to 9.4 % in 2024, with private‑sector membership at 6.0 % and public‑sector membership at 33.1 %. Despite the decline, unions remain a key part of the Democratic Party’s base and continue to mobilize voters.
The authors recommend that unions keep building pathways for members to enter politics—through mentorship programs, campaign training, and financial support. They also stress the importance of forming coalitions with other progressive organizations to broaden electoral appeal.
For now, Cadogan and Goughnour represent early successes in a strategy that could reshape the political landscape for labor. Whether the trend will grow beyond a handful of local and state races remains to be seen, but the ASU report offers a clear framework for unions that wish to translate public trust into tangible political power.
The Center for Work and Democracy has made the full report available online for those interested in the data and analysis behind these findings.
