MADISON, Wisc. — As the Tea Party movement and union bosses prepare to clash in Wisconsin, it is worthwhile to keep in mind that many millions of dollars of union members’ dues have been spent to fuel the Democratic Party in past elections. Here’s a breakdown of what some of the top unions donated to the Democratic Party in the 2008 and 2010 election cycles:
- The AFL-CIO, whose president Richard Trumka is orchestrating much of the protests in Madison this week, donated $1.2 million to Democrats in 2008 and $900,000 in 2010.
- The American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees donated $2.6 million to the Democrats in 2008 and another $2.6 million in 2010.
- The National Education Association donated $2.3 million to Democrats in 2008 and $2.2 million in 2010.
- The Teamsters union donated $2.4 million to Democrats in 2008 and $2.3 million in 2010.
- The SEIU donated $2.6 million to Democrats in 2008 and $1.7 million in 2010.
- The Carpenters and Joiners union donated $2 million to Democrats in 2008 and $2.1 million 2010.
- The Laborers union donated $2.6 million to Democrats in 2008 and $2.2 million in 2010.
- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers donated $3.8 million to Democrats in 2008 and $3.2 million in 2010.
- The American Federation of Teachers donated $2.8 million to Democrats in 2008 and $2.7 million in 2010.
- The Machinists and Aerospace union donated $2.5 million to Democrats in 2008 and $2.1 million in 2010.
- The Communication Workers of America, which includes employees from several television and radio stations and other publishing platforms, donated $2.2 million to Democrats in 2008 and $2.1 million in 2010.
- The United Autoworkers union (UAW) donated $2.1 million to Democrats in 2008 and $1.5 million in 2010.
- The United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) donated $2.1 million to Democrats in 2008 and $1.9 million in 2010.
Most unions gave a negligible amount, if anything at all, to the Republican Party over the past two election cycles.