UAW Members in Maine Endorse Graham Platner for U.S. Senate

UAW Region 9A local unions in Maine voted to endorse Graham Platner to represent Mainers in the United States Senate.

As a U.S. military veteran, oyster farmer, and proud lifelong Mainer, Graham Platner is a true fighter for the working class. His campaign is grounded in rebuilding the American dream for working people who can no longer afford a good life. His service and his background give him the leadership needed to fight for policies that put the needs of workers first and demand bold solutions to our economic and political crises.

UAW Region 9A represents nearly 2,000 workers in Maine, including marine draftsmen at Bath Iron Works, nonprofit employees, workers at the Portland Museum of Art, and graduate employees across the University of Maine System. Together, our members are part of a growing movement of working-class people demanding an economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy few—and standing behind candidates who fight for dignity, fairness, and justice for all workers.

The UAW’s Maine Community Action Program (CAP) Council, composed of leaders from each of UAW’s local unions in Maine, unanimously voted to endorse Graham’s campaign after researching and interviewing candidates. In September, Graham rallied with the University of Maine Graduate Workers Union in their fight for a fair first contract, and following this endorsement UAW members will join Graham on the campaign trail.

“Inequality is out of control in our country. Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined. Graham understands this, and at a time when too many politicians take their cues from billionaires and corporate lobbyists, he has chosen to stand with the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “He’s focused on the real problems facing workers across this country — not the distractions the billionaire class uses to divide us. His campaign is rooted in the same core issues our union fights for every day: a living wage, affordable health care, retirement security, and time outside of work to actually live our lives. The UAW is proud to endorse candidates like Platner taking on the broken status quo.”

UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla added, “Graham Platner has emerged as a voice for the people of Maine fed up with the corrupting influence of the oligarchy and money in our politics. More importantly, he is building a mass movement that will not only power his campaign but will be ready to take on the challenges facing working families in Maine and across the country once in office. Our members are ready to hit the ground running with Graham’s campaign and take back the power for Maine’s working class.”

“I think he's the real deal,” said Trent Vellela, chairperson of the UAW’s Maine CAP Council from Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association (BMDA-UAW Local 3999). “Graham directly addresses the hard issues in a straightforward and relatable way. He is clear about his principles and his plan to achieve positive outcomes for the working people of Maine. We're excited to endorse Graham Platner for Senate and look forward to seeing him in DC.”

The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine will take place on June 9, 2026.

Good Day Maine on CBS 13: UAW Endorses Platner for Senate (Oct. 16)

The Chuck Toddcast: UAW has already endorsed Platner over Mills (Oct. 16)

WMTW 8: Maine's 2026 Senate race picks up with endorsements and fundraising (Oct. 15)

Politico: Maine’s Platner now has the support of 3 labor unions (Oct. 15)

Common Dreams: ‘He’s the Real Deal’: UAW Endorses Graham Platner in Maine Senate Race (Oct. 15)

Massachusetts CAP Votes to Endorse Sen. Ed Markey for Reelection

Region 9A’s Massachusetts CAP Council voted this week to endorse longtime labor champion Senator Ed Markey for reelection to the U.S. Senate.

Senator Markey has a consistent record of standing up for the working class, defending collective bargaining rights, and championing policies that strengthen and create good union jobs. He has also shown up time and time again for our members, from walking the picket line with Local 422 in Mansfield to fighting for research funding for our membership in higher education.

“Senator Ed Markey has stood with labor and the UAW throughout his career,” said UAW Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla. “From joining our workers on the strike line at Stellantis to fighting back against cuts to NIH that impact our members in higher education, Senator Markey understands that a strong working class depends on strong unions. He doesn’t just talk about workers’ rights—he delivers.”

The endorsement underscores UAW Region 9A’s commitment to mobilizing our members and retirees in support of pro-worker candidates who share our union’s values and priorities.

UAW Endorses Local 2320 Member Rep. Tram Nguyen for Congress

Today, Massachusetts State Rep. Tram Nguyen announced the UAW's endorsement of her campaign to represent Massachusetts' 6th District in the U.S. Congress.

Nguyen joined UAW Local 2320, the National Organization of Legal Service Workers, when she was a legal aid attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services, where she started as an Equal Justice Works Fellow, then became a staff attorney, and later the coordinator of the Civil Legal Assistance for Victims of Crime program.

“Congress needs new energy and new leadership. We know Tram, first as a UAW 2320 member, now as a State Representative, and we know her record fighting for issues affecting working people,” said Brandon Mancilla, UAW Region 9A Director. “She will stand with UAW and with working families.”

“I’m so grateful to my brother and sister UAW members for supporting me as I run for Congress,” said Nguyen. “Growing up in a working class family in Massachusetts, I know how hard people work to make ends meet. With Washington ignoring the affordability crisis, we need serious change. As a union member, I know what it means to listen carefully and deliver for the people, not the powerful.”

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UAW & NY Assembly Member Claire Valdez Launches Run for Congress with Pres. Fain & Mayor Mamdani

Today, UAW President Shawn Fain and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Assembly Member Claire Valdez to launch her UAW-endorsed campaign for Congress in New York’s 7th Congressional District spanning North Brooklyn and Western Queens.

“When workers organize, we don’t just ask for justice. We demand it—and we win it.”

Assemblymember & UAW 2110 member Claire Valdez

Mayor Mamdani said Claire’s experience as a member of UAW Local 2110 would be valuable in Washington. “I truly believe that we need a labor organizer in Congress,” he said. “We need someone who will put forward that same agenda for the working class, whether it's legislation to make it easier to join a union or to fight for Medicare for All.”

“Corporations and billionaires are doing everything they can to crush the working class. The only way we can take on the crises in front of us is if we have more workers representing us in the halls of power,” said President Fain. “That is why I am proud to stand with UAW member Claire Valdez in her run for Congress. Claire will fight like hell for dignity, fairness, and justice for all workers. This is exactly how the labor movement can fight back against corporate greed and inequality: by electing more of our own. UAW is excited to send Claire to Congress to deliver for the working class.”

UAW Region 9A Endorses Brad Lander for Congress

Today, UAW Region 9A announced their endorsement of Brad Lander for Congress in New York’s 10th Congressional District, citing his decades-long record of standing with workers.  In the face of a changing economy, Lander has worked exhaustively to deliver some of New York City’s strongest worker protections.  In the City Council, Lander authored and passed legislation guaranteeing a living wage for Uber drivers and deliveristas, required stable schedules for fast food and retail workers, and protected freelancers from wage theft.

“UAW Region 9A is excited to endorse Brad Lander for Congress. We have known and worked with Brad for years and know he walks the walk. In every role he’s served, he’s called out bad bosses, walked picket lines with all our locals, and leveraged the tools of his office to fight for workers. From housing to workers rights, we know Brad will be a steadfast champion for working people in Congress,” said Brandon Mancilla, UAW Region 9A Director.

As New York City Comptroller,  Lander also used creative approaches to support union workers. Lander pressured Apollo Global Management to accept union neutrality at the Venetian Hotel, helping more than 4,000 hotel workers secure a good contract. He also used the City’s position as a major investor at Amazon and Starbucks to demand safer workplaces and respect for workers’ right to organize.

“I’m deeply grateful to have the support of my longtime allies at UAW Region 9A, some of the best organizers in the country.  They are making a powerful statement that working people don't want billionaires buying seats in Congress," said Brad Lander. "For decades, I’ve worked with labor to ensure that workers don’t get screwed.  In the City Council, I won groundbreaking new labor protections for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, including those getting taken advantage of by the gig economy.  As Comptroller, I recovered over $20 million for workers whose bosses cheated them out of the prevailing wages they were owed, and made sure the companies we invested in respected the rights of their workers to organize.  In Congress, I'll work with the UAW and other labor unions to ensure that workers don’t get screwed by AI, by app companies, or by billionaire bosses trying to exploit shifts in the economy to pad their profits — that all workers have the right to organize and bargain collectively, and have dignity on the job.”