The Influence
of Labor in the
Industrial
Heartland
Indiana
Illinois
10%
39%
25%
46%
65%
15%
Service
Party
Labor
Pennsylvania
Ohio
11%
27%
13%
65%
8%
76%
Top Contributors in Each State
• Illinois
– Candidate Self-Finance
• Indiana
– Party Committees
• Ohio
– Party Committees
• Pennsylvania
– Lawyers & Lobbyists
Total Amount Contributed for Most Recent Gubernatorial Election
$60,000,000
$50,000,000
$40,000,000
$30,000,000
$20,000,000
$10,000,000
$0
OH
IN
PA
IL
General Trends
• Prominence of labor groups
– Trade unions
• Not many ideological groups
• Low influence of teachers
• Candidate self-finance in Illinois
United Auto Workers (Region 3)
• Represents workers in auto industry, but
also other sectors of economy
• Region covers Indiana and Kentucky
– Bulk of contributions to IN campaigns
• UAW Region 3 Community Action
Program to endorse & get out the vote
Policy Goals
• Mirror general goals of national UAW
• Unionize, low-cost health insurance,
unemployment benefits, job security,
wages
• In conflict with Michigan auto industry
– Wants to keep costs low
General Motors
Contributions Since 1998
UAW Region 3
Success & Power
• 3 of last 11 candidates supported have
won
• State house & senate becoming more
Republican
• Most recent union deals with auto
companies have been large compromises