IBEW members like Milwaukee, Wis. Local 494’s Dan Bukiewicz are joining the growing line of IBEW members stepping up to serve in public office.
This fall, mayor of nearby Oak Creek and president of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council Bukiewicz is on the ballot for an open red seat in the swing state’s legislature.
“He’s running to be a voice for labor. We could use more people doing that,” said John Zapfel, national grassroots coordinator. “He’s a good guy with a really good shot.”
- On Nov. 3, IBEW members across the country are running in local, state, and federal elections to capture seats from politicians seen as out of touch with the struggles most Americans are facing, and too in touch with special interests.
Now, there is a website that IBEW members can use to find candidates and volunteer in the short months ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
This clearinghouse website for IBEW candidates includes candidate photos and links to their campaign websites. IBEW candidates not listed can use a link to add their names.
This year, it’s urgent, said IBEW Political Director Joe Zahorik. There is a real opportunity to overturn the balance of power in the House, the Senate, and state legislatures across America.
A check on power? “We will only have a thin majority when the Democrats get the gavel, but it’s more than we have now. We can at least play a much stronger defense,” he said.
In the field, the IBEW already has more than 50 members in leadership roles on labor’s unified election mobilization program in key states.
IBEW talent pipeline. “Not only are we developing future IBEW leaders, we are helping runthe ground game,” Zapfel said. IBEW President Cooper’s role as vice chair of the AFL-CIO political committee means IBEW input in high-level planning.
A successful labor-to-labor mobilization always relies on volunteers to make calls, attend rallies, distribute campaign materials, and have real conversations with fellow members.
“The success of the labor movement has always depended on collective action,” Zahorik said. “This election is no different.”
Late-August push. In Texas, 40 volunteers made more than 7,000 calls to fellow union members for labor endorsed candidates like Gina Hinojosa for governor and James Talarico for U.S. Senate. “Enthusiasm is high, and they are just getting started,” Zapfel said.
- To volunteer for the unified labor mobilization effort,click here: https://act.aflcio.org/forms/volunteer-for-labor-2026/
- Early voting starts in September. For state-by-state voter information, including deadlines, click here.