Political Director’s Report – September 2024

Big Consequences – Nationally & Locally

By Antonio Sanchez, Political Director

The upcoming presidential election will have big consequences for our country and the world. With that said, I’m not going to focus this month’s column on that. Vice President Kamala Harris will carry California, that’s a fact.

Instead, I want to focus on a Congressional race in the Antelope Valley, where we can make a real difference. A few hours ago, I learned that the contest between Mike Garcia and George Whitesides is a total toss-up. Recent polling has them dead even, 50/50.

That is why we’re asking members to volunteer with us and help elected George Whitesides in CA 27. George has been a friend to the IBEW, has toured the ETI and pledged to support IBEW’s priorities in Congress when he gets to Washington, D.C.

Please volunteer on this campaign to help elect a candidate who will help us. Join us to canvass and make calls to your fellow IBEW members starting this Saturday Sept. 28.

As union members, it serves us to help those who pledge to help us. Mike Garcia won his last election by 333 votes. There are almost 2,500 IBEW members who can vote in his district. To me, this means that IBEW members can make the winning difference in this race.

And, if you’re contacted by a volunteer on behalf of a candidate or bond initiative in the next few weeks, please hear them out. I know it can be annoying, but they might be helping create work for the IBEW. You’ll likely hear from a campaign pushing a local or statewide school bond. I’m voting yes on the $9 billion LAUSD bond on the November ballot for two reasons — I know our public schools need the investment and our dispatch hall receives many job calls from contractors doing LAUSD work. Easy decision. There are close to $20 billion in climate and school bonds at stake this election.

I have personally met and discussed our issues with every candidate we have endorsed on these pages. Please support them. Yes, it’s incredibly time consuming to meet with every candidate, but well worth it. I want each one to know we have electricians out of work. And I also let them know we expect them to support our union values and mission in return. Our focus is always on policy that creates work for you.