Portland, OR — Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor has issued the following statement in response to the 2026 election results:
The Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO and Oregon’s entire labor movement are proud of the immense dedication of the hundreds of union members who volunteered their time to have critical conversations on doorsteps, on the phone, and in their workplace during this election. The Oregon Labor Federation’s field program knocked over 111,000 doors, made over 69,000 phone dials, and had over 25,000 positive conversations with voters about pro-labor candidates.
We talked about issues that we know matter to voters: affordability and threats to our most fundamental rights, while corporations and the ultra-wealthy increase their cut of the profits working people produce for them. These conversations made it crystal clear that Oregonians were turning out in record numbers to elect leaders who will champion our values and fight for good jobs, affordable housing and healthcare, quality education, and an economy that works for everyone.
The Oregon Labor Federation is proud to have stood by Governor Tina Kotek throughout her reelection campaign and we know the Governor has working peoples’ backs in our continued fight for better working conditions, wages, and protections.
Union members turned out in force to help re-elect not only Gov. Kotek, but also dozens of champions for working people in the state legislature, who have proven time and time again to be effective and outspoken advocates for workers and their unions.
It is thrilling to see so many of Oregon Labor’s state legislative endorsements win their elections, including our priority races such as re-electing State Representatives Lamar Wise and Lesly Muñoz, and electing champions to the state senate including State Senators-elect Virgina Stapleton and Denise Krause. We are proud to see Senator Merkley and our pro-worker congressional delegation re-elected to continue the fight for a better future for working people in the next Congress.
Working Oregonians turned out to vote this election not to maintain the status quo but out of hope for a better, more equitable Oregon. We know union members played a significant role in ensuring strong voter turnout in Oregon and now we will get back to work on achieving the progress working people expect while holding our elected leaders accountable to that shared goal
Oregon’s future is in good hands, and we’re immensely proud of our work to both elect new champions for working people along with re-electing leaders with proven track records of standing up for workers.
The results of Oregon’s elections and elections across the United States have made this clear:
Working people aren’t content with scraps and are ready for a shift in power from the wealthy to the workers. The Oregon Labor Movement will continue to defend the progress we have won in the legislature, at the ballot box, and at the bargaining table from attacks by the federal administration. We are proud to be part of a union-made blue wave where massive numbers of working people took back our power to demand an economy that works for all. This election was a watershed moment for working people, and we know the hard work has just begun. The status quo leaves too many behind, and the results of the election are a strong step in the right direction.