As Iowa’s political landscape gears up for the 2026 elections, labor unions are stepping into the spotlight, announcing early endorsements for candidates who, they say, champion working families and the rights of employees across the state. On September 5, 2025, several major unions began rolling out their support for a handful of hopefuls, with the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa (SEIU) and various Teamsters locals leading the charge, according to Iowa Starting Line.
Rob Sand, the current State Auditor and now a gubernatorial candidate, snagged the endorsement of SEIU. The union, in a statement cited by Iowa Starting Line, made its priorities crystal clear: it was backing candidates “willing to stand with working families to grow the labor movement, increase wages, and lower healthcare costs.” SEIU’s message struck a chord with many, highlighting the economic pressures facing everyday Iowans. “Working people in our state have seen prices skyrocket while wages haven’t kept up for most of us, all while the rich get richer,” the union wrote. “We’re tired of politicians who stand by while Medicaid is cut and cheer on policies that hurt families in our state.”
Sand wasn’t alone in receiving union support. Zach Wahls, running for the U.S. Senate, was endorsed by Teamsters Local 90 and Ironworkers Local 89. Meanwhile, Nate Willems, a candidate for attorney general, picked up endorsements from Teamsters Local 238 and SEIU. There was also a report, though unverified at the time, that the Iowa Federation of Labor had thrown its weight behind both Sand and Willems—a signal, perhaps, of labor’s growing interest in shaping the state’s political future.
But why the early flurry of union activity? The answer, many say, lies in the broader national context and the policies emanating from Washington, D.C.—or, more specifically, from President Donald Trump’s administration. The BlueGreen Alliance, a coalition of environmental and labor organizations, didn’t mince words in its Labor Day assessment of the Trump administration’s actions. According to their analysis, President Trump’s policies have dealt a series of blows to American workers: stripping collective bargaining rights from more than 80% of the federal workforce, costing the nation 37,000 manufacturing jobs since April 2025, firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for reporting those losses, and leaving the National Labor Relations Board with just one member—effectively shutting it down. That move, later ruled unconstitutional, was described as a “gift to corporate union-busters.”
The list didn’t stop there. The administration also slashed the minimum wage for workers on federal contracts by 25%, a change that hit the lowest-paid federal workers the hardest. Perhaps most significantly for Iowa’s agricultural and meatpacking industries, President Trump oversaw the deportation of 200,000 immigrant workers and, through a climate of fear, drove another 1.5 million to leave the U.S. voluntarily. The result? A decimated immigrant workforce and mounting challenges for industries that rely on these workers.
Labor leaders weren’t shy in their criticism. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, responding to the latest cuts to federal unions, remarked, “This is how President Trump is commemorating Labor Day: continuing his administration’s all-out attack on workers and unions.” As Iowa Starting Line pointed out, it’s perhaps no wonder that union endorsements for Republican candidates have been scarce this cycle.
Yet the debate over the power of union endorsements continues. Do they truly sway voters, or are they merely a show of solidarity? It’s a question that lingers in union halls and political circles alike. Some union members see endorsements as a vital guide, a signal of which candidates will fight for their interests. Others remain skeptical, believing their votes are shaped more by personal experience than by organizational backing.
While Iowa’s endorsements are just beginning to trickle in, the national conversation about workers’ rights has reached a fever pitch. On the same day unions announced their Iowa endorsements, People’s World called for urgent action to restore collective bargaining rights to federal workers. The publication described President Trump’s Labor Day 2025 actions as the “largest union-busting assault in our country’s history,” noting that more than one million federal workers had been stripped of their union contracts.
“Congress must immediately restore union rights to federal workers by signing the discharge petition to force a vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act (HR 2550),” People’s World urged. The call to action didn’t stop there. The article pressed for the passage of the PRO Act (HR 20), legislation designed to protect all workers’ rights to organize, warning that both public and private sector workers are endangered by what it called an “escalating attempt to end collective bargaining.” Readers were encouraged to pick up the phone, dial their representatives, and demand swift legislative action.
In Iowa, these national developments are more than just headlines—they’re shaping the local political debate. The state has already seen heated discussions over public employee retirement systems, with a task force appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds recommending the elimination of the state pension system for new hires in favor of a 401(k)-style plan. Thousands of teachers, corrections officers, and other public servants would be affected, further fueling concerns about the erosion of worker protections.
Meanwhile, the BlueGreen Alliance’s Labor Day list served as a rallying cry for those who see the Trump administration’s actions as a direct threat to the labor movement’s hard-fought gains. The Alliance’s critique included not just the decimation of collective bargaining, but also the economic fallout from job losses and wage cuts. For many in Iowa’s working class, these aren’t abstract policy debates—they’re lived realities, affecting paychecks, job security, and the ability to provide for their families.
As the 2026 election season unfolds, it’s clear that labor issues will remain front and center. More endorsements are expected as candidates drop out and the primaries narrow the field. Whether these endorsements will move the needle with Iowa voters remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: unions are determined to make their voices heard, both at the ballot box and in the halls of power.
With the stakes so high, Iowa’s working families and union members are watching closely, weighing not just promises but track records. The coming months will reveal whether candidates can truly deliver on the issues that matter most—or if, once again, workers will be left waiting for change.
