AFSCME helps Mike Smiddy win re-election
State lawmakers are back in Springfield this week for a “lame duck” session, but that label doesn’t apply to Rep. Mike Smiddy, an AFSCME member who won a second term in this month’s elections.
Smiddy said his AFSCME brothers and sisters played a vital role in his victory – every vote counted in a contest he won by a narrow margin of 281 votes.
“The union played a very large role, both through financial help and through volunteers,” he said. “Door-to-door campaigning was something that was very much needed in my race to make sure we were able to get out the vote. That made a huge difference.”
Smiddy, who has a 100-percent voting record on issues important to AFSCME members, was endorsed by PEOPLE delegates earlier in the fall. He received financial contributions from the union’s PEOPLE program, which also sent volunteers throughout the 71st House District.
The former East Moline Correctional Center employee, who was elected to the General Assembly in 2012, said he plans on continuing to serve as a strong advocate for working families and the labor movement.
“I’ve shown over the last two years that I’m going to be a strong advocate for public sector union members and all union members,” he said. “We need to make sure with this new governor that we aren’t divided.”
Click here to read more about other victories fueled by AFSCME in this year’s elections. If you want to help elect more pro-worker politicians, talk to your local leadership about becoming involved in the PEOPLE program in your area.