A recent study by Arizona State University’s Center for Work and Democracy examines the conundrum of labor unions in American politics today. On one hand, unions remain among the most trusted institutions in the country, but on the other hand, they are underrepresented in elected political office. Read the full report here.
The report concludes that one mechanism to translate strong public resonance into strong governing power lies in the cultivation and election of candidates drawn directly from the labor movement.
One of BLET’s own — Daniel Cadogan, Chairman of the New England Legislative Board — is one example of a union member winning election to public office. On May 16, Brother Cadogan was elected to the position of Selectman in his hometown of Plympton, Massachusetts. Selectmen assemble as a board of either three or five members, and act as the executive arm of government in certain New England towns, comparable to a city council.
“If you don’t like your leaders, become one,” said Cadogan, who works as a locomotive engineer for Keolis in the Boston area.
Dan Goughnour is another Teamster member who has been elected to public office. Last year, the member of Teamsters Local 205 near Pittsburgh was elected to Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters offers resources and support for union members interested in running for public office. The IBT’s Department of Political and Legislative Affairs, in conjunction with the IBT Education Department, offers two training courses: a single-day event outlining basic considerations before a member runs for office; and a more intensive multi-day course that gets into more specifics and outlines the resources that IBT has available to ensure members run successful political campaigns.
If you would like more information, please download IBT’s Member Candidate brochure (PDF) or email Scott Hardenbrook of IBT’s Department of Political and Legislative Affairs.
BLET New England Legislative Board Chairman Daniel Cadogan was recently to the position of Selectman in his hometown of Plympton, Massachusetts. He is pictured here with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (left) at a 2025 signing ceremony of a rail safety bill.