Government affairs

NALC’s primary focus during election season has always been at the federal level, since federal elections affect letter carriers directly. However, letter carriers across the country engage in politics at the state and local levels since those elections can affect working familes.

In 2014, the Democratic Party got trounced in down-ballot elections and the Republican Party’s long-term investment in a robust state and local campaign effort paid off. Following the 2014 elections, the GOP’s control of governors’ mansions and state legislative bodies was at an all-time high. Republicans held 31 governorships, compared with Democrats’ 18.

Republicans also controlled 69 of 99 legislative chambers. In 23 states, the GOP controlled both the legislature and the governor’s office.

Many of these newly elected candidates wasted little time to introduce legislation designed to weaken unions and chip away at the rights of working families. While some of these officials tried to hide their true intentions behind so-called “budget deficits,” others had no qualms about revealing their ultimate anti-worker goals. At this point, legislatures across the country have introduced hundreds of harmful pieces of legislation that attempt to gut the pay, benefits and collective-bargaining rights of working families.

While NALC’s political focus remains on the federal level, NALC members at the local levels should always be on the lookout for standouts on city councils, mayor’s offices and state legislatures. 

With a presidential race on the ballot in 2016, there will certainly be increase voter interest and turnout, something that could result in more pro-working family candidates getting elected at the state and local levels.

At the state level, one focus is on the long game—the 2020 elections and the resulting re-drawing of congressional districts.