(WESTERN NEW YORK) – It was an interesting mix of results for Organized Labor on Election night across Western New York and New York State on Tuesday (November 6th), with incumbent Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo and WNY Native Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul re-elected, a State Senate that has now been turned Blue and a very narrow victory by indicted U.S. Congressman Chris Collins by 1% over Democrat and heavily-backed Labor Candidate Nate McMurray – who after conceding defeat, is now calling for a recount.

Nationally - it was an expected mix of results, Democrats took the House – as anticipated (with a record number of Women winning election), but failed to win the Senate and actually lost two seats to Republicans.  In Wisconsin, Anti-Union/Republican Governor Scott Walker was finally removed – this time by Democrat Tony Evers, a State Schools Superintendent.  But disappointing loses in Florida for Governor (by African-American Andrew Gillum) and in the Senate (with Democrat Bill Nelson) - both extremely close races - and the failure to unseat Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz by surprisingly strong Democrat Beto O’Rourke (Cruz won by a little more than 200,000 votes in Deep Red Texas) put a bit of a damper on the night.  The Gubernatorial defeat of African-American Stacey Abrams in Georgia by Republican Brian Kemp in yet another close race was another disappointment.  However, Dems registered Gubernatorial wins in a total of seven States, including Wisconsin.

With 113 million casting votes in this year’s Mid-Term Election, as opposed to 88 million in the last Mid-Term Election, the results at least put a check on Republican President Donald Trump, whose polices and judicial appointments have hurt and tested Organized Labor over the past two years.  With a Democratic House, there is a possibility a series of checks and balances and investigations that could hold Trump accountable and provide Working People with a future defense prior to the 2020 Presidential Election.

Back in Western New York, Republican Congressman Collins - who basically hid from the voting public during the campaign, failed to involve himself in any debate with McMurray and ran a series of fear-based political ads, has been indicted on Felony Insider Trading Charges.  But that didn’t stop a majority of voters in New York’s 27th Congressional District, who sent him to victory by a narrow 1% margin.  McMurray, who at first conceded, had a change of heart hours later and called for a recount.  In a statement, McMurray (Pictured Above/Photo Courtesy of IUPAT/District Council 4 Member William Mayer, Via the Social Network Facebook) - who is the Town Supervisor of Grand Island, said: “After examining the numbers, the margin is one-percent and the will of the voters must be heard.”

“Overall, it was a ‘magnificent’ effort,” Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz told WNYLaborToday.com this morning (November 7th).  “We ‘did better than we hoped for with the amount of work we did – the most I’ve seen.’”

The WNYALF President singled out the United Steelworkers (USW), the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the United Auto Workers (UAW), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Teamsters and the Buffalo Building & Construction Trades Council for their efforts in the 2018 Mid Terms.

“We ‘flipped’ the (State) Senate, ‘won several local races’ and ‘most importantly’ - ‘flipped’ the U.S. Congress.  While several Labor Leaders ‘lamented’ some of the results, I say B.S. – ‘we did very well, some are too close to call and not decided as yet,’” Lipsitz told Your On-Line Labor Newspaper.  He was referring to the McMurray-Collins Congressional race.  “There are still (3,000) absentee ballots out and McMurray ‘isn’t out of it,’” Lipsitz said.

However, there was a Blue Wave in the New York State Senate Elections with Democrats winning majority and control for only the third time in half a century.  The publication City and State New York (www.cityandstateny.com/) reported that at least five seats flipped to Democrats, giving the Dems single-party control in New York, which could mean some major and future shakeups for the State, including possible action on Single Payer Health Care, with the Reproductive Health Care Act - which would codify Roe v. Wade into State Law, strengthening rent regulations, criminal justice reform and changes made to the Voting Law, to name but a few.

Meanwhile, Governor Cuomo crushed his Republican opponent - Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and won a third time in office.  Cuomo was joined by Hochul, his Lt. Governor, in claiming early victory shortly after the polls closed.  U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also won re-election.  Buffalo-born Leitita James won State Election to the Attorney General’s Office and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli – who was supported by Labor – also won re-election.

“The ‘collective voice’ of Working People ‘was heard’ with victories for Labor’s candidates for Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller and U.S. Senate.  I congratulate Governor Cuomo, our new State Attorney General Letitia James, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,” New York State AFL-CIO Labor Federation President Mario Cilento said.

“Their ‘victories are a victory for all’ Working People.  Union Members ‘worked hard’ campaigning for each of these candidates ‘because they understand the issues most important to Workers.’  I am ‘particularly proud’ of our (2.5 million) Members, Retirees and their families for ‘executing a powerful’ grassroots campaign.  We made four million voter contacts through knocking on doors, targeted digital messaging, phone calls, mail pieces, palm cards and e-mails to Union Members ‘on the importance of having’ Statewide Elected Leaders ‘who will fight to protect’ Workers’ Rights ‘and grow’ the Middle Class,” Cilento said.

Back in Western New York, a number of Labor-endorsed Candidates won, most notably: Democratic Challenger Karen McMahon ousted Republican incumbent Assemblyman Ray Water in the 146th District race; Democrat Pat Burke won the 142th Assembly District race over Republican Erik Bohen; and State Assemblywoman Monica Wallace – a New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Union Member, also won re-election.  Democratic U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins too also won re-election.

“Everybody ‘was everywhere,’” WNYALF President Lipsitz told WNYLaborToday.com of Organized Labor’s efforts across the region.  “Unions ‘are the best when it comes to political programs out in the field – and it showed again this year.’”

In the Southern Tier, incumbent U.S. Congressman Tom Reed beat back yet another Democratic challenger, Labor-endorsed Candidate Tracy Mitrano, in the 23rd District race.