WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Richard Lipsitz is President of the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF), whose Regional Labor Federation’s 140 affiliated Local Unions combine to represent 145,000 Union Workers in the Public and Private Sectors and the Building Trades.

In addition to the victory of the Biden/Harris Democratic Presidential Ticket, all local Congressional and New York State Senate and Assembly seats were contested this Fall.

Our Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) can now report on the races that we endorsed and actively participated.

Here’s who won races in our region that were endorsed by our Area Labor Federation:

• U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins 
• New York State Senator Tim Kennedy
• State Senator-Elect Sean Ryan
• State Senator Patrick Gallivan
• State Assemblywoman and State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples Stokes
• State Assemblywoman Monica Wallace
• State Assemblywoman Karen McMahon
• State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello
• State Assemblyman Pat Burke
• State Assemblyman-Elect Jonathan Rivera
• State Assemblyman-Elect Bill Conrad
• State Supreme Court Judge-Elect Amy Martoche

Unfortunately, Nate McMurray and Tracey Mitrano did not prevail in their races for the U.S. Congress, and Jacqui Berger was defeated in her race for the New York State Senate.

However, the WNYALF’s participation in this year’s election was as energetic as any in recent memory.

Our volunteers spent hundreds of hours on the phones, calling voters in New York State, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida.

We reached thousands of voters across Western New York and thousands more from designated Battleground States.

In addition, our local Union Affiliates sent their Members to Pennsylvania, especially to Erie and in the late stages of the race to Philadelphia.

In the end, we made a difference and we helped defeat Right-Wing Republicanism.

But there is one example that stands out.

In 2016, Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton barely beat Republican challenger Donald Trump in Erie County New York - approximately 52%-to-48%.

But in 2020, it will end up at about 55%-to-43% with former Vice President Biden prevailing over incumbent President Trump.

The Western New York Labor Movement should be proud of this shift.

Our Labor Organization played a role in ousting the most reactionary and dangerous administration in the history of our country.

Now, Brothers and Sisters, we must continue to be vigilant.

As you know, Trump has refused to concede defeat in the Presidential race.

His minions in the Republican Party and the Right-Wing news media are complicit in this obstruction.

In early January, two run-off elections will take place in Georgia that will determine control of the U.S. Senate.

Once again, our Labor Federation will be an active participant in the continuing struggle to defend Democracy.

We invite you all to continue to join us in this fight!