Lincoln Chafee, the 'Union Candidate'?

Former Senator Lincoln Chafee has racked up a number of high-profile union endorsements—an unusual accomplishment for an independent candidate.

“Independent candidates traditionally have had trouble getting these endorsements,” said Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief for USA Today. “Labor unions are usually big backers—important backers of Democrats. It’s really an exception when they turn away to endorse someone else—a Republican or an independent.”

Chafee has been endorsed by the state chapters of the NEA, the Service Employees International Union, the Rhode Island Federal of Teachers and Health Professionals, and the United Nurses & Allied Professionals.

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Last night, the Rhode Island chapter of the AFL-CIO remained neutral in the race at its convention. Although they were disappointed at not getting the endorsement, the Chafee campaign was pleased that the AFL-CIO didn't endorse anyone else—especially Democrat Frank Caprio, according to Mike Trainor, the deputy campaign manager for Chafee.

RI Governor’s Race Is ‘Unique’

“I wouldn’t call Chafee an aberration, but … the situation in RI is unique. Caprio is not a by-the-book liberal, and Chafee is to Caprio’s left on some issues. So, it’s not so surprising that Chafee has gotten some union support,” said Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor at The Cook Political Report.

Even though independents traditionally have trouble getting these endorsements, a number of them have in this election cycle, including Senate candidate Charlie Crist in Florida and Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill, according to Page and Duffy.

The ‘Union Candidate’?

Chafee is winning over the unions due to his record of having an “effective and productive” relationship with unions and his commitment to negotiating with them in "good faith," according to Mike Trainor, his deputy campaign manager. He said unions had found Caprio’s “sledgehammer approach” to reforming pensions disturbing. Chafee is open to changing benefits only for new hires, not current employees—unlike Caprio, Trainor said.

“Frank Caprio has received support from the unions whose membership is derived from small businesses in our state,” responded spokesman Nick Hemond. “He has a pension plan that will be more affordable to the taxpayer and sustainable for the employees as opposed to Mr. Chafee who has a plan to raise taxes.”

A spokesman for Republican John Robitaille said there was little doubt Chafee was the “union candidate” in the race. “They’re both union candidates, but Chafee more so,” said Mike Napolitano, referring to Chafee and Caprio. “(Chafee) is the more left-leaning candidate.”

Trainor said all the union support does not diminish Chafee’s credibility as an independent voice for Rhode Islanders. “He’s not there to do the union’s bidding,” Trainor said. “He’s there to do the people’s bidding.”
 

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