Election Update

This election season was a mixed bag for carpenters, with some big wins and some tough losses. The most important election in this off-year was a runoff for the special election to replace Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher in the 10th Congressional District, which covers parts of Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano and Sacramento counties.

Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a long-time friend of the Carpenters Union and a supporter of working families, won that race. Union members volunteered on the campaign, and Garamendi won handily. Two days after the election, he was in Washington D.C. being sworn in; two days later, he provided a crucial vote in favor of health care reform.

Peter Hanley, San Mateo Union High School District Trustee, was also re-elected. Hanley led a successful effort to secure a Project Labor Agreement for the district, and has since spoken in front of other school boards about his district’s positive experience. That made him a target of anti-union forces, and carpenters rose to his defense.

San Rafael had a tough loss when an $88 million bond campaign for a new public safety building got 61 percent of the vote, when it needed two-thirds. Local 35 and the Regional Council supported the effort, putting in hours on the phones in support of public safety and much-needed jobs. Sadly, a tough economy, low voter turnout, and a city council candidate who campaigned against the measure combined to defeat the measure. The one bright spot was that two carpenter-endorsed candidates were elected to City Council.

Another loss came in Fairfield where Jamie Johnson (wife of NCCRC Field Representative Mike Johnson) ran a spirited campaign for a City Council seat. Despite strong support from labor, including carpenter volunteers and the use of the phone banks at Local 180, the campaign couldn’t overcome the power of incumbency; both current councilmembers were re-elected. Still, Jamie earned thousands of votes-a good effort in her first try for public office.

So, we won some and we lost some; and we’ll keep fighting for jobs and candidates who support the Carpenters.

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