AFL-CIO ramps up direct mail campaign

By Kevin Bogardus - 10/11/12 06:00 AM ET

The AFL-CIO and its super-PAC, Workers’ Voice, have launched a new round of direct mail and worksite leafleting in dozens of down-ballot races across the country.

The nation’s largest labor federation sent out mail and leaflets on Wednesday that are expected to reach 500,000 union and non-union voters, according to an AFL-CIO official.

House races in 12 different states — Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin — have been targeted by labor. This newest round of mail and leafleting is also aimed at Senate races in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio and Wisconsin.

One of the mailers attacks Linda McMahon, a Connecticut Republican who running in a tight race for the Senate, by comparing her to GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

"Mitt Romney and Linda McMahon are not what working families need now. Both made their fortunes taking advantage of their employees. Both are out of touch with the middle class. And both support a political agenda that will make it even harder for working families to get ahead," said the mailer.

Another mailer goes after Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.), a freshman who is facing off against former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.), whom he defeated in 2010.

"Frank Guinta is part of a systematic attack on working families," who wants to cut education funding and workers' pensions to pay for "tax cuts for the wealthy and increase profits for CEOs," the mailer alleges.

Gubernatorial races in Montana, New Hampshire and Washington, along with state legislator races in Iowa, Kentucky and Maine, are also getting attention from the labor federation.

Each recipient of a mail piece from either the AFL-CIO or Workers’ Voice will receive a robocall from labor before and after the mail piece was sent.

The AFL-CIO has endorsed President Obama for reelection and is seen as a key ally for Democrats. Labor is expected to help turn out voters in November, and could be a difference-maker in several key races.