Yes we did! SEIU members turned out the vote for Obama, Gregoire, Dorn, Initiative 1029
Thousands of SEIU nurses, janitors and other volunteers worked to bring home victory for Barack Obama, Governor Gregoire, Randy Dorn, candidates committed to the change that working families need, and Initiative 1029.
We knocked on doors, made phone calls, talked with co-workers about the issues, and reminded people to vote. Members wrote letters to the editor, filmed videos and appeared in radio and television ads to drive home the point that all Americans need quality affordable health care and economic security.
Through November 4, SEIU members in Washington:
- Knocked on over 92,000 doors.
- Made over 73,000 phone calls.
- Sent 116,000 pieces of mail.
- Distributed 20,000 workplace flyers.
- Made workers’ voices heard by investing $1.5 million in independent expenditure ads on television, radio, internet, and mail.
“Our nation is in a healthcare and economic crisis, and SEIU members took to the streets to talk about Governor Gregoire and Barack Obama’s plans to move our country forward,” SEIU Healthcare 1199NW President Diane Sosne said. “Working families are ready for change - until we solve our healthcare crisis, every family is at economic risk. Barack Obama and Governor Gregoire are the team working families can count on for quality, affordable healthcare for everyone, and voters were eager to hear that message.”
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW member Pam Keeley was one of many SEIU members who took a leave of absence from her job as a nurse at Swedish Medical Center to canvass neighborhoods in support of Governor Gregoire and Barack Obama.
“As a nurse, I see the difference Governor Gregoire makes in my hospital every day,” Pam Keeley said. “And that’s why I took a leave of absence to go door-to-door to talk about the difference Governor Gregoire has made with patient safety, healthcare for kids, and lower prescription drug prices. And people were eager to hear that message. The choices people made in this election will impact the healthcare choices they have for the next four years.”
No single organization did more in Washington than SEIU to elect Barack Obama as president. SEIU members endorsed Barack Obama in February, citing his commitment to working families and a comprehensive healthcare plan.
SEIU members endorsed Governor Gregoire in April, citing her record of strong support for healthcare for all children, routine and preventive care for all Washingtonians, lower prescription drug prices, early childhood education, and long-term care.
SEIU members endorsed Randy Dorn for the position of state superintendent of public schools to bring change to public schools. As a former teacher, principal and legislator he brings a unique skill set to solving the crisis in our schools.
SEIU members also played a significant role in passage of initiative 1029 and wins in key legislative races including Tina Orwall in Legislative District 33, Kevin Ranker in Legislative District 40, Roger Goodman in Legislative District 45, Geoff Simpson in Legislative District 47, and Tim Probst in Legislative District 17.
SEIU represents 2 million members nationwide. SEIU Locals in Washington State include:
SEIU Local 6 – representing 3,500 janitors and security guards
SEIU Local 49 – representing 1,200 health care workers in SW Washington
SEIU Healthcare 775NW – representing 35,000 long-term care workers
SEIU 925 – representing 23,000 education and child care workers
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW – representing 22,000 nurses and healthcare workers
SEIU Local 1948 – representing 27,000 school employees