WSLC makes 2026 election endorsements

Nearly 350 delegates gathered at the Machinists District 751 Hall to consider endorsements in congressional, statewide, and legislative races as well as multiple initiatives to the people

The following is from the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:

SEATTLE, WA (May 16, 2026) — Hundreds of union members gathered in Southpark today to endorse a robust slate of pro-worker candidates at the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (WSLC) 2026 Committee on Political Education (COPE) Convention. 

The Labor Council’s endorsements require a two-thirds majority vote of delegates, indicating that candidates and initiatives that clear this high bar have broad support across Washington’s labor movement. 

Endorsements were considered in each of Washington’s ten congressional districts, for 122 legislative candidates, and for candidates in each Washington Supreme Court position. Delegates also considered endorsements for three initiatives. Delegates overwhelmingly voted to oppose IP26-645, an initiative to repeal a millionaires tax that will fund essential public services, as well as two other initiatives, IL26-001 and IL26-638. 

Delegates vote at the WSLC 2026 COPE Convention.

“WSLC endorsements are made through a rigorous democratic process that requires us to find common ground, building power through unity,” said WSLC President April Sims. “We carefully vet candidates and ballot initiatives for potential endorsement because we know we elect our working conditions. While corporations and the ultrawealthy have money to burn to try to influence politics, the power of the WSLC endorsement is in our people.”

“We know voters are looking for trusted messengers as our politics become increasingly polarized,” said Cherika Carter, WSLC Secretary Treasurer. “Unions are one of the most trusted institutions in the U.S. because organized labor fights for the rights and dignity of all working people. We are committed to electing candidates who are worthy of that trust up and down the ticket in Washington state.”

WSLC President April Sims speaks at the 2026 COPE Convention.

The WSLC endorsement is highly coveted, as the Labor Council runs a comprehensive ground game in support of endorsed candidates and campaigns, communicating with hundreds of thousands of union members each election cycle. Data indicates that union members are more likely to vote than not-yet-union workers. And Washington ranks in the top 5 for  union density among all 50 states, with roughly 1 in 5 workers covered by a union contract. The WSLC’s voter education and activation program has a proven track record of increasing voter turnout in support of endorsed candidates and initiatives.

“Workers are the majority. When we vote, we build collective power and determine the direction of our state,” said Osta Davis, WSLC Political & Strategic Campaigns Director. “We are ready to hit the ground running to support pro-worker candidates and turn out the union vote.”

The full list of WSLC endorsements is available at wslc.org.