Texas

TexasTowelie

(112,248 posts) Sun Apr 8, 2018, 05:04 AM Apr 2018

A Texas Democrat's campaign just unionized. Here's why so few campaigns do that.

by Alex Samuels, Texas Tribune

Hey, Texplainer: Campaign workers for Laura Moser, a Democrat running for Congress in Houston, recently unionized, which guarantees them benefits such as health insurance, paid sick days and paid leave. How come most political campaigns don't already do that for their employees?

In late March, the campaign staff for Democrat Laura Moser, who secured a spot last month in a primary runoff to take on Republican U.S. Rep. John Culberson of Houston, announced they had unionized.

Though the workers initiated this, Moser’s support of the move aligned with her campaign’s message. Since announcing her congressional bid, the Democratic activist and journalist has run as a progressive advocating for things like universal Medicare, and improved access to paid family leave when a baby arrives, a child falls ill or an aging parent experiences a medical emergency, according to her campaign website.

“I’m proud of my team for taking this important step to stand in solidarity with one another and with workers all over Texas,” Moser said in a recent news release. “Democrats need to walk the walk when it comes to standing with labor.”

Texas is one of 28 "right-to-work" states in the nation, which means employees aren't required to pay dues or join unions — and those who do join unions and associations must opt in to have membership dues automatically deducted from their paychecks. Approximately 5 percent of working people in the state are unionized, according to Ed Sills a spokesman for the Texas AFL-CIO. Moser’s campaign has said its the first in the state and one of just 10 in the nation to unionize. But this raises the question: Why aren’t Texas candidates already giving these benefits to their employees?

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2018/04/06/laura-moser-campaign-unions-why-most-dont-do-it/

Moser came in second place during the primary in March. She will be in the May runoff.

4 replies

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A Texas Democrat's campaign just unionized. Here's why so few campaigns do that. (Original Post) TexasTowelie Apr 2018 OP

A lot of campaigns depend entirely on volunteers and PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2018 #1

She is the Our Revolution candidate that the DCCC opposed in the primary. TexasTowelie Apr 2018 #2

Doesn't that make them hypocritical then? MichMan Apr 2018 #4

My preferred candidate that Ill vote against in the primary. Amimnoch Apr 2018 #3

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,862 posts)

1. A lot of campaigns depend entirely on volunteers and

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 05:57 AM

Apr 2018

cannot pay their workers at all.

TexasTowelie

(112,248 posts)

2. She is the Our Revolution candidate that the DCCC opposed in the primary.

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 06:06 AM

Apr 2018

That generated lot of cash for her. Her opponent is a well-qualifed female attorney.

The runoff is on May 22 so the move is symbolic at best if she doesn't win.

MichMan

(11,938 posts)

4. Doesn't that make them hypocritical then?

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 11:12 AM

Apr 2018

Demanding that everyone else pony up for something that they won't do themselves. One reason why people have such a negative view of politicians

Amimnoch

(4,558 posts)

3. My preferred candidate that Ill vote against in the primary.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Apr 8, 2018, 07:55 AM

Apr 2018

This is my district, and I soooooo want Culberson out of there!!!

It will take 2 things happing at the same time to unseat that jackass in this heavily gerrymandered district:
1. A tRumpublican base deenergized enough to not show up in strength.
2. A energized Democratic Party base showing up in unusually high numbers during a mid-term.

I believe either candidate will make number 2 happen. Laura Moser will probably be the more energizing of the 2 candidates.

However, Laura Moser is on record saying several negative (true but negative) things about Texas. I don’t doubt for one second that Culberson will run 24-7 adds showing Laura Moser saying things “too liberal” for Texas, which will energize their base, and fail to deliver Laura #1 above. I don’t believe Culberson has any good ammo against Lizzie Fletcher that will give him the energy he needs for his base.

So, Laura Moser would have greater energizing effect on Democrats in my district, but also a greater energizing effect on the Con’s in my district - lower chance of winning the general.

Lizzie Fletcher likely won’t be as energizing for the Democratic Party voters in my district, but she also won’t be as much of a lightining rod to energize the con’s in my district - higher chance of winning the general.

I’m looking forward to supporting either of these great ladies in a General run as much as I am humanly able to.

Will soooooo enjoy seeing that jackass Culberson packing his bags and going home.

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