Labor unions less enthusiastic about Democrats ahead of midterm elections

Leaders express disappointment with candidates, frustration over Obamacare, Keystone pipeline

Labor unions, long a rich source of ground troops for national Democrats’ Election Day victories, are less enthusiastic this year, according to some movement leaders who say they are more focused on state-level races and feel left behind by the party on key issues such as Obamacare.

While public sector unions remain almost universally supportive of congressional Democrats, more traditional labor unions in key industries and key states express frustration with the party or say they haven’t been given a reason to get as deeply involved in the midterm elections.

In Ohio, no U.S. Senate races and few House races are on the ballots to energize unions. Unions also aren’t thrilled with the gubernatorial options the Democrats and Republicans have offered, said Eric Stevenson, an organizer for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 189 in Columbus.

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