ANew Partnership US, RepresentativeJack Quinn (R-NY) Builds a Labor-GOP Dialogue lIy Ashlcigh Ilobel'IS, 1'0,,"", Edi lor
ongressman jack Qumn is an example of the "big ten'" Ripon embraces, A Pro-Iahor Republican,
Congressman Quinn is not Jour typical M ember oj CongreH, bul he is (1 Parly loyalist who staunchly defends his (omli/uents in New York. Wh ere many people could let diffirences divide them, Congressman Quinn worksfor unity tlnd sees (o mpromise
as progrelS. Often refirred to as a Reagan R epublican, he is amiable (lnd po/itically shrewd. He began his career in Ccmgrers with a stunning upset in 1992 and has (ontinued to defeat Democrat efforts
/0 unseat him. Part of his fUCC(SS stems from his own, independent leadership style and hIS ability fa reach ali t 10 labor groups. [n the !-louse, Quinn is also known for leading the figh t to In(reau !lllfllmum wage. On May 17, 2001, Congressman Quinn talked with the R ipon Forum
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~~---------------------------" ~ Qllinn diJrossD Mw Yoill30th DiItrictwith RF Editor Ashkigh RWerts.
about some of the challenges in the 107'· Congress Im d hif strategy for r/anding by the people of Buffalo and supporting Bush's legislative agenda.
RF: In your last election , you received 67 percent of the vote. How does that happen to a Republican in the mosr highly unionized district in the country?
RF: Congress ma n, you a re a well- known Republican but you don't represent a typical Republican district. Can you describe your constinlency?
Congrtssman Quinn: My staff and I work hard. r ve been home every weekend for eight years and we vote the district. It doesn't always make some in the Republican leadership happy, but we think it is what the people of BuffaJo want and we've been fo rtunate to be returned a few times.
Congressman Quinn: As a marter of fact, I represent a typical
Dcmocratdistrict. It's threc to one Democrat. Buffalo, New York, is one of the most highly unionized cities in the United States. It is 29 percent unionized . Even when union numbers arc going down nationally, Buffalo numbers remain at 29 . But it is a bluecollar conservative district more than it is Democrat or Republican. RiJXlfl Forum • Summer 200 I
RF.. Labor groups have traditionally been strong supporters of
rhe Democratic Parry. D o think the Republican Party has a chance to change that? Congrtssman Quifm: Absolutely and posi tively. I am a perfect example of that. The last time out, 1 was endorsed by the unions. 9