UAW Members Drive Major Electoral Wins for Michigan's Working-Class Candidates

UAW members in Michigan have made a significant impact on the political landscape, successfully opposing billionaire-funded politics through widespread grassroots efforts.

In a notable triumph, Abdul El-Sayed, backed by UAW, clinched the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate despite facing substantial financial opposition. Jocelyn Benson, also endorsed by UAW, secured the Democratic nomination for governor, with Donavan McKinney winning the 13th Congressional District primary after gaining the union's support.

Active across cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, and Three Rivers, close to 800 union members engaged in door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and fostering discussions among coworkers and communities. The union, leveraging its robust presence of over 350,000 active and retired members in Michigan, executed a comprehensive early voting initiative, leading to nearly 113,000 UAW voters casting their ballots before Election Day. This accounted for about 10% of the state's early votes.

Efforts by the Numbers

During the campaign, union volunteers knocked on 15,000 doors and made over 145,000 phone calls. These efforts facilitated 112,887 UAW voters participating in early voting. The member-driven canvassing and phone banks operated in key locations such as Detroit, Taylor, and Grand Rapids, highlighting the effectiveness of a grassroots, member-led initiative.

UAW President Shawn Fain remarked on the campaign's success, stating, “UAW members are done with business as usual in Michigan. The billionaire class thought they could buy another election. They underestimated the power of workers talking to workers. Shop floor conversations beat Wall Street’s checkbook."

Shawn Fain emphasized the triumph of workers organizing and choosing candidates like Abdul El-Sayed and Jocelyn Benson, who prioritize economic fairness over wealth concentration.

UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English noted, “Corporate America poured millions into this race because they knew Abdul wouldn’t work for them. Our members know what’s at stake. Every contract fight, corporations force us to bargain over access to health care instead of winning bigger raises, stronger retirements, and more time with our families. That’s exactly why we’re fighting for Medicare for All.”

UAW Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli added, “The days of taking labor’s support for granted are over. Abdul earned our members’ trust the old-fashioned way—by showing up on picket lines and standing with workers when it mattered."

Background on Endorsements

The UAW's endorsement process was noted for its transparency, with members actively participating in candidate evaluations through forums and surveys before supporting Abdul El-Sayed in June. His consistent advocacy for worker rights and health care reform solidified his endorsement.

This movement is part of a broader, national effort by UAW members to elect representatives who prioritize the needs of working people. The union's success in Michigan is mirrored by similar achievements in states such as New York, Maine, and California, where UAW-backed candidates have secured Democratic nominations.