New York – Working Together To Beat Anti-Worker Incumbent

For the first time in 12 years, a worker-friendly candidate won election to the county executive’s seat in Erie County, N.Y., last fall.

AFSCME members from Council 35, Council 66 and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/AFSCME Local 1000 came together to defeat Erie County Executive Chris Collins – who had a long history of opposing workers – and replaced him with county Comptroller Mark Poloncarz.

The national union ran an independent expenditure campaign, including radio and TV ads and canvassing to the general public, under the AFSCME for Erie County banner.

Many labor organizations worked together to support Poloncarz in addition to the AFSCME affiliates. The victory was especially sweet for Council 66 and CSEA, as both represent county employees.

AFSCME members, including retirees from Council 35 and CSEA, helped get out the vote by canvassing and phonebanking, and knocking on thousands of doors in the final days of the campaign.

Sean Lauck, a rodent control investigator and a member of the executive board of Local 1095 (Council 66) in Erie County was excited to campaign and spur voter turnout. He even recruited co-workers to join him for fundraisers and door knocking.

“I hadn’t volunteered on campaigns in 10 years, but I put my time in for Poloncarz because I felt he was the best candidate,” Lauck said. “It comes naturally with the work that I do with the health department, to knock on doors and talk to people.”