CWA and Labor Allies Win Political Victories Across Texas

Earlier this month, in a stunning victory for working people in the state, Taylor Rehmet of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) won a special runoff election for Texas Senate District 9 against a heavily favored, billionaire-backed opponent.

Despite his refusal to take campaign donations from special interest groups and fighting for a seat in a deeply red district that President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024, Rehmet defeated his opponent by a 14-point margin. Polling data shows that, while turnout was high for both political parties, those voting as Independents, and a considerable number of registered Republicans, favored the Democrat over his Republican adversary. This swing came, in large part, due to organizing and mobilization by union members, including a tremendous effort by CWA activists. Rehmet’s campaign was powered by working people, union households, and a labor movement that showed up to win.

In a letter to members, CWA District 6, Local leaders, and IUE-CWA leadership wrote, “Our union members organized early and stayed on it. We ran phone banks, sent mailers, hosted block walks, and ran text banks, working shoulder-to-shoulder with our labor allies to turn out union households and everyday voters. We kept it simple: dignity on the job, strong public schools, and an economy that works for regular Texans, not just the rich and powerful. We are proud of the role we played. This is what building power looks like: members leading and workers winning.”

CWA members and allies, including the United Steelworkers; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and the American Federation of Teachers, also won primary races across the state, setting the stage for pro-worker, pro-people wins come November. These wins will ensure that strong, worker-friendly voices have a say in lawmaking and oversight and that worker voices are heard.

Congratulations to the winners and to the state of Texas.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.