Ohio's labor unions have traditionally supported Democratic candidates, but in recent years, some have started shifting to the right. Despite this, former Senator Sherrod Brown is still outperforming his party.

Columbus

As the 2026 Ohio elections approach, both Democratic and Republican candidates are actively seeking endorsements from the state's influential labor unions. Historically aligned with the Democratic Party, some unions have recently shifted their support toward Republican candidates, citing concerns that progressive policies have overlooked their interests.

Despite this shift, Democrats, particularly Senator Sherrod Brown, continue to secure the majority of union endorsements, both nationally and locally. The contest for union support remains a focal point in the upcoming elections, with affordability emerging as a key issue for union members across Ohio.

Ohio labor unions, traditional allies of Democrats, have drifted right

As we approach the new year elections in 2026 will feature contests for Ohio governor and the US Senate and the battle is already on for support from the state's labor unions. Our Columbus Bureau reporter Morgan Trow has a look at how Ohio's labor vote has shifted to the political right. Ohio's major gems the Rock Hall, H football stadium and entertainment districts were all built by the state's union workers. Labor is the center and labor unions helped build the careers of Ohio wins Austin Keiser and Michael Bertolone. Everything I've got up to this point because of local 18. Bertolone is one of the 16,000 operating engineers out of local 18 while Keiser is with the electrical workers 4th district with an overall 850,000 members and keeping labor rights and access to projects is guiding the pair when it comes to the 2026 US Senate race and having strong, strong advocates. It's very, very important, but they've come to different conclusions when deciding between Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican john Husted. Sherrod Brown has done it for decades. There is no better advocate. He's literally the conscious of labor. John has put in the time and effort. He's done so much in the state of Ohio. Historically, labor unions have voted for Democrats, but over the past decade, business law professor Eric Chafee explains that there's been a move to the right shift in values in regard to Republicans. Uh, they've tried to tap into populism, you know, the everyday person, what they might win. He says that many union workers have felt left behind by progressive candidates, more focused on big cities, more focused on certain identities. And Bertolone says this is why local 18 went for Husted. It's one of the few endorsements that Husted snatched from brown ones that the democrat won in 2024. The time and the effort just was not put in. But brown pushes back against that Houston has been gaining more union support in recent months than other republicans. What are those one in Cleveland? He just really doesn't. That's his spin. Uh, one endorsement of one union and then a regional kind of I've overwhelmingly got supportive unions because I've worked with unions while Husted has gained five labor endorsements with membership of 70,000 workers nationally. Brown has seven times the number of unions backing him, representing millions of laborers, ranging from builders to airline workers to teachers. Husted argues that many of Brown's endorsements come from national unions. I want to get endorsed by Ohio unions, the people who actually live and work in Ohio. But just looking at local endorsements, Brown eclipses Husted with 15 Ohio based unions to his four. And Keiser says it's because even though Husted may support unions, he votes for policies that don't. Houston has now voted several times for these terrorists. Both candidates will continue courting workers as affordability has become so far the top issue in this election at the Ohio Statehouse. I'm Morgan trial reporting.

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