November 2023 Election Endorsements
The Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF) represents over 80,000 working Coloradans, through over 114 affiliated unions. Our membership is diverse and includes everyone from teachers, firefighters, and home care workers to electricians and aerospace workers. We come together as the Denver Area Labor Federation because we believe in one simple idea: when working people stand together, we can create positive changes for everyone.
DALF votes to endorse candidates based on how they will impact not only our unions, but all working people in the Denver Area. We carefully consider how each candidate will help us fight for a more equal and secure economy where working people can build power, ensure economic justice for themselves and their families, and combat the influence of corporations and wealthy elites.
Voting is our chance as working people to support those who support us. Who you vote for is your personal decision, but we hope that you will take DALF’s endorsements into consideration as you fill out your ballot.
AS OF SEPTEMBER 29th, 2023, THE DENVER AREA LABOR FEDERATION HAS ENDORSED THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES AND BALLOT ISSUES:
ARVADA
Mayor: Lauren Simpson
City Council District 2: Shawna Ambrose
City Council At-Large: Sharon Davis
AURORA
Mayor: Juan Marcano
City Council Ward IV: Jon Gray
City Council Ward V: Chris Rhodes
City Council Ward VI: Brian Matise
City Council At-Large (choose 2): Alison Coombs
City Council At-Large (choose 2): Curtis Gardner
CENTENNIAL
City Council District 1: Amy Tharp
LAKEWOOD
City Council Ward 1: Glenda Sinks
City Council Ward 2: Isabel Cruz
City Council Ward 3: Roger Low
City Council Ward 5: Jacob LaBure
THORNTON
Mayor: Jan Kulmann
WESTMINSTER
City Council At-Large (choose 3): Claire Carmelia
City Council At-Large (choose 3): Amber Hott
City Council At-Large (choose 3): Tim Pegg
CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
District A: Anne Egan
DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD
District 1: Scott Baldermann
At-Large: Kwame Spearman
DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
District A: Susan Meek
District C: Brad Geiger
District F: Valerie Thompson
DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-1
Ballot Issue 5A: SUPPORT
Ballot Issue 5b: SUPPORT
Kamala Harris and Liz Shuler: Unions can help America build back better after COVID-19
Read More > Kamala Harris and Liz Shuler: Unions can help America build back better after COVID-19At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High
As Labor Day approaches and economic conditions in the U.S. remain tenuous, Americans' 65% approval of labor unions is once again the highest it has been since 2003.
Labor Unions Plan to Turn Out an Army of Poll Workers for the Election
A lack of poll workers can lead to a lack of available polling places ― and voter disenfranchisement. Given that the pandemic has made door-knocking infeasible in so many areas, labor groups are diverting some of that energy and resources to the poll worker cause.
Trumka Says Trump Broke His Promise on Manufacturing Jobs
Richard Trumka, the president of the AFL-CIO, on Thursday morning accused President Trump of breaking his promises to bring more manufacturing and infrastructure jobs to working Americans.
During a pandemic, unions offer workers some protection, research shows
Belonging to a union is not a panacea for all that plagues workers during a pandemic, as many hospital and other workers short on protective gear can attest.
Trump Executive Actions on COVID Are Smoke and Mirrors That Help No One
One way to view President Donald Trump’s executive actions last week on COVID relief is that they represent unlawful overreach.
In the COVID-19 Economy, We Are Running Out of Time to Prioritize Child Care
In March, working families across the country started to scramble. Our homes were transformed into makeshift classrooms, summer camps and daycare centers as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools and child care facilities.
Senate must pass HEROES Act for working families
In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, a piece of legislation that would provide much-needed solutions to our current economic and public safety crisis. Unfortunately, its path forward has been uncertain.
The union battle versus Trump administration over bringing workers back, safely
More than three years after taking office, the administration has never filled the job running the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is charged with enforcing workplace safety laws.
America is running short on masks, gowns and gloves. Again.
Read More > America is running short on masks, gowns and gloves. Again.You Call Us Heroes. It's Time to Treat Us Like Heroes
Working people are bearing the brunt of this global pandemic and economic crisis. The physical toll, death, pain, and suffering that Oregon’s frontline and essential workers have experienced is unprecedented.
Of Course Teachers Want Schools to Reopen
Daniel DiSalvo asks: “Will Unions Let Schools Reopen?” (op-ed, June 30). Of course! The AFT published our school reopening plan in April.