2026 Primary Election Endorsements
The Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF) represents over 80,000 working Coloradans, through over 114 affiliated unions. Our membership is diverse and includes everyone from teachers, firefighters, and home care workers to electricians and aerospace workers. We come together as the Denver Area Labor Federation because we believe in one simple idea: when working people stand together, we can create positive changes for everyone.
DALF votes to endorse candidates based on how they will impact not only our unions, but all working people in the Denver Area. We carefully consider how each candidate will help us fight for a more equal and secure economy where working people can build power, ensure economic justice for themselves and their families, and combat the influence of corporations and wealthy elites.
Voting is our chance as working people to support those who support us. Who you vote for is your personal decision, but we hope that you will take DALF’s endorsements into consideration as you fill out your ballot.
AS OF April 24th, 2026, THE DENVER AREA LABOR FEDERATION HAS ENDORSED THE FOLLOWING COUNTY CANDIDATES:
ADAMS COUNTY
Assessor: Thomas Swingle
Clerk & Recorder: Josh Zygielbaum
Commissioner District 3: Emma Pinter
Treasurer: Jason Anaya-Ledeboer
ARAPAHOE COUNTY
Assessor: PK Kaiser
Clerk & Recorder: Joan Lopez
Commissioner District 2: Jessica Campbell
Commissioner District 4: Leslie Summey
Sheriff: Tyler Brown
Treasurer: Michael Westerberg
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Assessor: Kara Garr
Commissioner District 1: Irene Bonham
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Assessor: Andy Kerr
Clerk & Recorder: Nicole Hensel
Commissioner District 3: Lisa Cutter
Coroner: Nick Lobello
Treasurer: Eric Proctor
AFL-CIO Chief Warns Red to Blue Candidates That Being a Democrat Isn’t Enough
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
AFL-CIO Chief Warns Red to Blue Candidates That Being a Democrat Isn’t Enough
House Democratic candidates in town this week for training at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington got a visit from AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka for some tips on how they can win back working-class voters. “I don’t have to tell you that you can’t count on the D next
Read More > AFL-CIO Chief Warns Red to Blue Candidates That Being a Democrat Isn’t Enough
Belabored Podcast #155: The Future of Collective Action
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Belabored Podcast #155: The Future of Collective Action
In the belly of the political beast in DC, grassroots organizers gathered at AFL-CIO headquarters to discuss collective action under Trump, beyond the beltway. Activists representing teachers, housekeepers, graduate students, and airline workers talked about union power in the wake of the Janus
Read More > Belabored Podcast #155: The Future of Collective Action
Rebuilding Power in Open-Shop America: A Labor Notes Guide
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Rebuilding Power in Open-Shop America: A Labor Notes Guide
The moment you may have been dreading arrived June 27, when the Supreme Court imposed the open shop on the public sector nationwide with its decision in Janus v. AFSCME District 31. Instead of the usual mix of articles, this month we’re sharing a special expanded issue of Labor Notesdevoted to one
Read More > Rebuilding Power in Open-Shop America: A Labor Notes Guide
Despite setbacks and high court’s ruling, unions show spark
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Despite setbacks and high court’s ruling, unions show spark
Their membership has been declining for decades. They’ve been bedeviled by crippling new laws, and by a devastating U.S. Supreme Court decision just this week. From all appearances, it would seem that labor unions are an endangered species. But here’s the surprise: Organized labor is showing new
Read More > Despite setbacks and high court’s ruling, unions show spark
Supreme Court won't have the last word on worker rights
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Supreme Court won't have the last word on worker rights
In Janus v. AFSCME, the US Supreme Court's conservative 5-4 majority held that public employees cannot be required by state law to pay a fair share of the cost of services that unions must provide members and nonmembers alike. Janus comes a month after Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, where the same
Read More > Supreme Court won't have the last word on worker rights
Supreme Court Conservatives Crush Workers, Again
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Supreme Court Conservatives Crush Workers, Again
The radical conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court have twice now in two months ganged up on working Americans, denying them their right to band together to achieve mutual goals. Last month, the extremist court majority sided with big business to deprive workers of the right to sue collectively in
Read More > Supreme Court Conservatives Crush Workers, Again
Intertwined: The Labor Movement and LGBT Rights
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Intertwined: The Labor Movement and LGBT Rights
Through all the celebration of LGBTQ Pride this month, there’s been a valuable opportunity to reflect on the hard-fought victories, brutal setbacks, and tenacious struggles that have ultimately delivered so much for so many. And just as importantly, there has been time to think about what lies ahead
Read More > Intertwined: The Labor Movement and LGBT Rights
Intertwined: The Labor Movement and LGBT Rights
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Intertwined: The Labor Movement and LGBT Rights
Through all the celebration of LGBTQ Pride this month, there’s been a valuable opportunity to reflect on the hard-fought victories, brutal setbacks, and tenacious struggles that have ultimately delivered so much for so many. And just as importantly, there has been time to think about what lies ahead
Read More > Intertwined: The Labor Movement and LGBT Rights
6 Months in, GOP Tax Bill an Utter Flop
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
6 Months in, GOP Tax Bill an Utter Flop
Six months after President Trump and Republicans in Congress jammed through massive tax cuts mostly for corporations and the wealthy, it has become clear that working families are suffering while billionaire GOP campaign contributors luxuriate in a tax windfall. While stumping for his tax plan
Read More > 6 Months in, GOP Tax Bill an Utter Flop
Trumka Gets World Peace Prize for Labor Leadership
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Trumka Gets World Peace Prize for Labor Leadership
Richard L. Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, was presented Tuesday with the inaugural “World Peace Prize for Labor Leadership.” The event took place at the headquarters of the AFL-CIO, in Washington, D.C., in the George Meany Conference Room. The award was presented before a capacity audience by Fr
Read More > Trumka Gets World Peace Prize for Labor Leadership
The Las Vegas Union That Learned To Beat The House
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
The Las Vegas Union That Learned To Beat The House
Monie Stewart-Cariaga recently decided to leave the townhouse she’s renting to buy a new home. For a single cocktail server, she couldn’t be in a better position to do it. Beyond the fair wage and tips she earns at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Stewart-Cariaga plans to take advantage of a
Read More > The Las Vegas Union That Learned To Beat The House
Retiring UAW President Williams: Union Stronger Than Four Years Ago
2026 Primary Election Endorsements
Retiring UAW President Williams: Union Stronger Than Four Years Ago
With growing membership, a budget back in the black and a strike fund that is rising by the year, the Auto Workers are much stronger than they were four years ago, retiring union President Dennis Williams says. And if you really want a comparison, Williams added one bombshell at the end of his
Read More > Retiring UAW President Williams: Union Stronger Than Four Years Ago