Politics

Unions Once Again Give Most Of Their Political Donations To Democrats

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Labor unions have played a significant role in the midterm elections, contributing millions primarily to Democratic candidates in both House and Senate races.

Labor unions heavily favor Democrat candidates, giving them 89.0 percent of their financial contributions compared to 10.7 percent for Republicans. Labor unions rank as the seventh highest sector when it comes to political campaign contributions, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics from Federal Election Commission filings.

The top candidate for union contributions Democratic incumbent Nick Rahall, who is running for reelection in the third congressional district in West Virginia. He has received $403,500 from organized labor while his opponent Republican Evan Jenkins has received no measurable contributions from labor.

The next highest union contributions go to Democrat Ed Markey, who is running for a full Senate term from Massachusetts. He has received $373,000 while his Republican opponents both in this summer’s special election and Tuesday’s midterms received nothing.

New Jersey Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo is a rare Republican with strong financial backing from unions, clocking in as the third biggest beneficiary of labor contributions at $350,150. His opponent Democrat Bill Hughes Jr. received $8,300. They are both running in the second congressional district in New Jersey.

The next largest contributions for this midterm election go to Democratic Rep. Timothy Bishop, who is running for reelection in the first congressional district in New York. He has received $335,750 from organized labor while his opponent Republican Lee Zeldin has received $5,500.

After that, Democrat Gary Peters has received the next biggest contributions for labor unions at $322,300. His opponent, Republican Terri Land has received no contributions for unions. They are running for the Senate in Michigan.

The Democratic candidate for the fifth congressional district of Maryland, Steny H. Hoyer, has received $313,655 for organized labor while his opponent, Republican Chris Chaffee, has received nothing. Hoyer is the second-ranking Democrat in the House.

Democratic Rep. James E. Clyburn, who is running for reelection in the sixth congressional district of South Carolina, received $311,500 for labor unions while his opponent Republican Anthony Culler received nothing. Clyburn is the third-ranking Democrat in the House.

The next largest campaign contributions for this midterm election went to Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick, who is running for the first congressional district of Arizona. She received $298,000 while her opponent, Republican Andy Tobin, received $500 for organized labor.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos has received $293,350 for labor unions while her opponent, Republican Bobby Schilling, received nothing. They are running for the seventeenth congressional district of Illinois.

The tenth largest haul from unions went to Massachusetts Democratic Rep. John Tierney, who received $285,500. Tierney lost the Democratic primary.

The 2014 midterm elections will be held on Tuesday.

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