Weeks before Election Day, 1199SEIU members were out in their communities from Massachusetts to Florida, knocking on doors, making phone calls and encouraging co-workers to vote for candidates who support living wage jobs, quality healthcare, and economic security. The years we vote for local candidates are sometimes called off-year elections but, 2015 was no different than any other for these political activists. When the polls closed on November 3, the results indicated that in the majority of races, 1199 members had exerted their collective strength and won, once again.

Ralph Gravely, a member political organizer in New York, echoed the sentiments of 1199 political activists throughout the union, “I work to get out the vote because I see elections as a way to effect change. The people we elect make important policy decisions. We have to be sure lawmakers support what it takes to create opportunities for working people and for our children’s future.”

Highlights:

IN NEW YORK STATE*, 68% of 1199’s endorsed candidates were elected. Three important county executive races were won in large counties; Erie, Onondaga and Suffolk. The victory in the Suffolk county executive race helped elect other pro-labor candidates in the towns, and made it easier for the legislature to maintain a Democratic majority. In Monroe County, 1199’s strong community coalition raised concerns about child care subsidies. Although the coalition’s candidate did not win, the new administration will address the childcare issue in the next few months.

Across the state, 1199 members elected progressive candidates in the towns where they work and live. In the small river town of Hudson, Republican and Democratic members mobilized behind a good jobs/quality care platform and elected a new, pro-union mayor. In Dutchess County, home to many 1199 hospital and nursing homes workers, a strong coalition of labor volunteers was successful in electing union-backed candidates. They also pushed back several serious challenges by more conservative candidates.

1199 members worked to elect two Assembly candidates who will fill vacant seats at the state Capitol. In Syracuse, longtime ally Pam Hunter won a rough primary in September and prevailed again in the General Election. In Coney Island, Pamela Harris, a former union member and community activist became the first African American woman elected in a diverse, multi-cultural community in Brooklyn.

IN FLORIDA, 1199’s Lisa Wheeler Brown won a seat on the St. Petersburg City Council with a resounding 58% of the vote. She will be joined on the council by two other 1199-backed winners. In Orlando, 1199 members helped to re-elect Mayor Buddy Dyer, who also won a decisive victory, with 65% of the vote. In a difficult city council district in Miami, 1199’s endorsed candidate did not win, despite a formidable effort by union and community allies. However, the group’s work put the least supportive candidate in 2nd place, in a multi-candidate race.

IN MASSACHUSETTS, the results of the 2015 election mean that Boston is going to see changes in city government. The city council doubled its number of women; now three of four at-large councilors are women, as well as one new district councilor. By working to elect Caribbean-American Krystian King, 1199 members helped ensure that the Worcester City Council will more accurately reflect the city’s population. King will be the first black man to represent Worcester residents since 1935.

1199SEIU’s Massachusetts election mobilization also created opportunities to collect required signatures, so that key issues can become ballot initiatives in 2016.

IN NEW JERSEY, all 80 seats in the state Assembly were up for election. New Jersey voters elected the largest Democratic majority to the Assembly in 36 years, with the help of 1199’s dedicated political activists. After making history in Monmouth County, the final vote count confirmed that their work was invaluable -- New Jersey will be represented by 52 state legislators who support working families.

In local races, 1199 members were active in several large county elections, securing victories for county freeholders who have proven to be allies of 1199 members by showing support for good stable jobs and quality patient care.

These victories -- electing candidates who stand for economic and social justice, and removing from office those who don’t -- are significant. The accomplishments of 2015 will help to lay the groundwork for major national elections next year.

More NYS results at 1199seiu.org/vote2015