On the Campaign Trail

The Labor2022 Political Program

The Labor 2022 Political program kicked off in May when the national AFL-CIO named Ohio as one of its eight battleground states. Through June and July, the Federation worked to establish a campaign infrastructure which included identifying local union points of contact and recruiting volunteers. By late-August we were knocking on the doors of fellow union members and writing postcards. At the same time, the Cleveland Teachers Union began running the statewide paid phone banking program.

By October, paid staff members were knocking on doors five days a week and volunteers were knocking doors on Saturdays. AFSCME Ohio Council 8, the Cleveland Teachers Union, CWA District 4, and AFGE played host at weekend canvasses across the County. In the final week of the campaign, crews worked around the clock to get out the vote. The program eventually grew to include nearly three-dozen locals and 280 paid and volunteer staff. In the end, we made more than 40,000 canvassing attempts and

Exit polling indicates that our work was effective. Polling averages show that union household members played an outsized role in voting, representing 20% of the electorate despite representing around 13% of the general votingage population. Polling also showed that union members supported Tim Ryan by 14%, proving that organized labor did its part.

While turnout in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati was low and led to defeat in statewide races, unions helped guide candidates to victory in local races.

North Shore AFL-CIO Delegate Jennifer O’Donnell Headed to Court of Common Pleas

One of our most significant election victories came from one of our own. Jennifer O’Donnell won her race for Judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Before her election, she served as an attorney with the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office, where she was a member of AFSCME Local 3631 and an active North Shore AFL-CIO delegate. AFSCME Council 8 worked hard for her and Chris Ronayne and began campaigning for Jennifer during the summer and eventually knocked on 7,500 member doors.

Jenn is the daughter of the late Dave Mitchell, who served as business manager with Pipefitters Local 42.

Political Program Delivered Worker Wins

The Federation saw more success at the ballot box in 2022, with 32 (91.4%) of our endorsed candidates winning their races. Rep. Shontel Brown will return to the U.S. Congress to represent District 11. Kent Smith is headed to the Ohio Senate to represent District 21, replacing Kenny Yuko who was term-limited. Bride Sweeney won re-election to the Ohio House in the newly drawn District 16, and in a significant victory for public education, Tom Jackson won the Ohio Board of Education race in District 10.

In major victories for working people in Cuyahoga County, Chris Ronayne cruised to a resounding victory to become County Executive, and the Port Authority Levy was renewed, supporting 200,000 good-paying jobs.

Path to Power Highlights

The Federation saw four union members elected to public office in 2022. Retired Sheet Metal Local 33 member Dan Troy will return to Columbus, representing the newly drawn District 23. IATSE Local 756 President Tom Patton won re-election to represent House District 17. Parma City Council President Sean Brennan, an OEA member, won election to the Ohio House to represent District 14. Jennifer O’Donnell, a member of AFSCME Local 3631 will join the Court of Common Pleas.