CWAer's Join 'Final Four' GOTV Drive

CWA activists are joining union members across the country for the AFL-CIO's "Final Four" GOTV push to get out the vote for friends of working families. Executive Vice President Jeff Rechenbach will lead CWA's participation during the final four days culminating in the Nov. 7 elections, joining a Labor-to-Labor walk in District 2 as labor turns out more than 100,000 union activists to support worker-friendly candidates.  Rechenbach will join CWA and other union members in Lanham, Md., visiting union households on Saturday, handing out literature and talking with union members on behalf of Democratic candidates Martin O'Malley for governor, Anthony Brown for lieutenant governor and Ben Cardin for U.S. Senate. Elsewhere in District 2 and around the country:

• Across Maryland, CWA members have been phone banking and leafleting in efforts to unseat incumbent Gov. Robert Ehrlich (R). Some polls put Democratic challenger Martin O'Malley ahead, while others showed a close race, said District 2 Legislative-Political Coordinator Charles Buttiglieri. Also in a close race, Ben Cardin (D) is running against Lt. Gov. Michael Steele for the open Senate seat vacated by Paul Sarbanes. "We need a large African American turnout in Maryland to put anyone in office," Buttiglieri said.
  
  CWA Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Easterling joined CWA and other union activists at a rally in Northern Virginia on Oct. 29, where Democrat Jim Webb is challenging incumbent George Allen in a tight race for U.S. Senate. CWA locals working with the Northern Virginia Labor Council have knocked on at least 10,000 doors.
  
  
• In District 1, Legislative-Political Coordinator Bob Master said hundreds of CWA members will join an expected 2,000 New Jersey labor activists on Election Day for GOTV activities on behalf of incumbent Sen. Robert Menendez (D), who polls showed pulling ahead of challenger Thomas Kean, Jr. (R). Members were also expected to turn out in support of labor-friendly candidates in other key races in the district. Over the last three weekends, about 250 members did precinct walking in Bridgeport, Conn., where Democrat Diane Farrell is challenging incumbent Rep. Chris Shays (R). Others were phone banking in New Hampshire, where Paul Hodes (D) is challenging Rep. Charles Bass (R).
  
  
• In District 3, said Legislative-Political Coordinator Beverly Hicks, "the locals have been very cooperative. Every big local has sent out one letter, some two, urging members to get out and vote." In Tennessee last weekend, CWA members were among 200 labor activists driving people to the polls for early voting. "We have a chance to take the Senate there," where Rep. Harold Ford (D) is facing Bob Corker (R) for an open Senate seat.  CWA volunteers were also turning out in Georgia to support Democrat Mark Taylor in an uphill race for governor against incumbent Sonny Perdue (R) and in support of incumbent Rep. Jim Marshall (D), who was enjoying a lead against Mac Collins (R) for the 8th District House seat.
  
  
• In Pennsylvania, CWA members have been pushing to reelect Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and elect Democrat Bob Casey to unseat Senator Rick Santorum. District 13 Legislative-Political Coordinator Terry Tipping said polls looked favorable in both races. CWAers also were hoping to elect friends of working families in four House races.
  
  
• In District 4, Rep. Ted Strickland (D) enjoyed a lead over Republican Ken Blackwell in the race for Ohio's open governor's seat, said District 4 Legislative-Political Coordinator Larry Handley. CWA members have also been pushing hard for Rep. Sherrod Brown (D), who was enjoying a big lead in challenging Mike DeWine for the open U.S. Senate seat. Members also were working hard for incumbents Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.). "We've sent lists of drop-off voters to all of our locals throughout the district for phone-banking," Handley said.
  
  
• In District 6, AFL-CIO Sec.-Treas. Richard Trumka, CWA local presidents and members are expected to participate in GOTV activities Sunday in Missouri, where Democrat Claire McCaskill is challenging Republican Sen. Jim Talent in a close race and where minimum wage is a key ballot initiative, said Legislative-Political Coordinator Rita Voorheis. Members were also participating in phone banking and other activities throughout the district.
  
  
• District 7 Legislative-Political Coordinator Kevin Mulligan said several staff throughout the District have been released to join CWA members in GOTV activities. He said incumbent labor-friendly senators throughout the district appeared to be safe.  Things also looked hopeful for Bruce Braley (D), running for the open House seat in Iowa's 1st District.
  
  
• In District 9, said Legislative-Political Coordinator Jim Weitkamp, released staff were out working with local members in an uphill battle to help challenger Phil Angelides (D) to unseat Gov. Arnold Schwarznegger. In bright spots in the district, said Weitkamp, labor-friendly candidate Jack Carter (D) is expected to win the Nevada Senate seat held by incumbent John Ensign (R) and, district wide, friends of working families may take at least two congressional seats.