Union Endorsement: Why It Matters

Published: Monday, May 5, 2008 12:24 PM PDT

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So the first one took the jump, huh? The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees local union endorsed Steve Francis for mayor today. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that hotelier Doug Manchester and the hotel employees union would join together behind someone for mayor.

I suppose wilder things have happened. But let's do something first. I've been asked recently why I was so interested in unions' support of Francis over the incumbent. Why does the endorsement of the hotel workers or the Labor Council matter so much?

Labor unions can give three major things to a candidate and only one of them matters in this case. A union can give monetary support in the form of independent expenditures in favor of a candidate. The firefighters union was once a prolific force in this effort, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on behalf of people like former Mayor Dick Murphy.

Unions can also, of course, provide countless volunteer hours on behalf of a campaign. Their members can walk districts, man telephones and hand out fliers.

Finally, they can just endorse and the power of the message might be enough to resonate with people who look to them for guidance.

This last one is usually the least valuable to a candidate -- and, conversely, it's the easiest for the union to give.

But it's the most valuable part of the endorsement for Francis. Why? He doesn't need money and his dollars should do enough work for thousands of volunteers.

He needs the nod. He needs the nod because his list of endorsements is still rather bleak.

Now, I do not believe that endorsements matter all that much in the effort to attract voters. To unseat an incumbent, however, Steve Francis will need to create the impression that a major movement is underway -- that diverse interests are uniting in a coalition against a common enemy. I'm not saying that's happening. What I'm saying is that it's vital for Francis to make it seem like it is.

Endorsements help make that happen. And that's why it's such a big deal to imagine unions giving them to him.

-- SCOTT LEWIS

11 Comments so far on this story...

Scott is right on target about what endorsements can do for a candidate. Another point is that the 1st endorsement by an organization or spokesperson is the most important because it creates momentum, making it that much easier for the next one to endorse. It would not surprise me to see endorsements for Francis from labor and enviros pick up steam.

Posted by clp | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 12:19 pm

Big Mistake!!! The workers are going to get screwed!

Posted by Fran | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 12:29 pm

Something is fishy about this endorsement. What are the Downtown Power Brokers worried about that would cause them to jump ship and now endorse Francis over Sanders??? I thought I heard Francis blasting the TOT the Hotel Motel Industry imposed on themselves as being self serving. I understand two different groups, but what is missing here? Francis' record in the Nevada legislature is ANTI worker at every turn. Why would this group not listen to their brother Union Leaders in Nevada when they detail his record of open disdain for the worker? Scott; the real story is why Papa Doug would endorse Francis over Sanders today. Something is fishy here. Is Papa Doug tired of his affiliation with the Republic Party???

Posted by Sparky | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 12:56 pm

Now suddenly Francis is the tree-hugging man of the working people. This has just reached the level of farce. Absolutely ridiculous.

Posted by Man of the working people | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 1:12 pm

Steve Francis, Environmentalist and Labor's Best Friend. What a Crock! What's next - Donna Frye, Blackwater Supporter? Mike Aguirre, Legal Scholar? Brian Maienschein, Perfect Attendance? Toni Atkins for a Border Fence? Look up and check the skies, pigs must be flying.

Posted by Simple Guy | reply to this comment
May 5, 2008 9:01 pm

I think the value of an endorsement is that it serves as a signpost for those who may be relatively uninformed. We know candidates need money to campaign because most people are disinterested in elections and don't take the time to inform themselves on the candidates and issues. Endorsements serve as a proxy; if you're a fan of the endorser, you're more likely to view the recipient of the endorsement favorably.

Posted by Jason | reply to this comment
May 6, 2008 5:22 am

It's not that the unions like Francis, it's that they hate Sanders.

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
May 6, 2008 7:11 am

Francis is a man without a country - base of support. His policies have changed 180 degrees from only 2.5 years ago. Why? because he'll say and do anything to get elected. For labor and enviro groups, it's better to go with the Devil you know than the Devil you dont. They better hope Francis doesn't win or they are in for a rude awakening.

Posted by Scott M | reply to this comment
May 6, 2008 9:25 am

"It's not that the unions like Francis, it's that they hate Sanders." Fred Williams is right on. And like it our not, the unions are perceived by the voters to be the most powerful special interest group in the city. - Mr. anti-special interest - Francis' desperate attempt to appeal to anyone is going to be his undoing.

Posted by Scott M | reply to this comment
May 6, 2008 9:33 am

All polls will tell you Developers are seen as the biggest special interest at City Hall by voters.

Posted by Actually | reply to this comment
May 6, 2008 11:37 pm

10. Actually wrote on May 6, 2008 11:37 PM: "All polls will tell you Developers are seen as the biggest special interest at City Hall by voters." ...NOT TRUE, developers are second BEHIND the public employees and their unions. The public employees, and their unions, are the biggest threat to our future economic well being...well at least their pension and benefit packages are.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
May 7, 2008 8:33 am

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