As we approach Labor Day, American Bridge 21st Century is shining a spotlight on the toxic records of GOP Senate candidates in battleground states and their detrimental impact on workers. With a comprehensive review of their positions, these candidates consistently advocated for policies that undermine the interests of everyday workers and unions.
“These Republican Senate candidates’ extremist views and anti-worker agendas pose a serious threat to worker rights, fair wages, and job security,” said American Bridge 21st Century Senate Communications Director Nico Delgado. “From hurting their own workers to voting against raising the minimum wage, their records are toxic for working people.”
GOP Senate candidates are out of step with workers:
Dave McCormick (PA)
- McCormick made his employees sign noncompete agreements and doubled down after the FTC ruling to ban them.
- McCormick opposes increasing the federal minimum wage.
- McCormick called for breaking the back of teachers unions and cost the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System tens of millions of dollars.
- McCormick got rich by outsourcing jobs to China and India while laying off workers in Pennsylvania. McCormick even bragged about outsourcing jobs.
Ted Cruz (TX)
- Cruz co-sponsored federal right-to-work legislation.
- Cruz repeatedly voted against raising the minimum wage and alleged increases in the minimum wage would be harmful workers.
- Cruz voted against the final passage of the FY 2023 federal spending package, which included workplace accommodations for pregnant workers and new mothers.
- Cruz repeatedly voted against paid sick and family leave, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Cruz voted against a federal spending package in 2018 that prohibited employers from taking their employees’ tips.
- Cruz voted to disapprove a OSHA workplace safety rule in 2017 that allowed OSHA to cite an employer for failing to maintain workplace injury records for five years.
Larry Hogan (MD)
- Hogan vetoed legislation that would’ve raised the minimum wage to $15.
- Hogan vetoed legislation that would’ve required utility contractors to pay the prevailing wage.
- Hogan vetoed legislation that would’ve offered 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.
- Hogan vetoed legislation that would’ve expanded collective bargaining rights for employees on college campuses.
- Hogan called a Maryland teachers’ union “thugs.”
- Under Hogan, Maryland’s agencies failed to correctly pay their employees.
Bernie Moreno (OH)
- Moreno opposed the existence of a minimum wage.
- Moreno claimed that UAW’s demands for fair wages were “unreasonable.”
- Moreno opposed the American Rescue Plan which saved Ohioans’ pensions.
- Moreno repeatedly attacked teachers’ unions.
- Moreno placed his profits before his employees, committed wage theft, and was sued for discrimination.
Mike Rogers (MI)
- Rogers single-handedly blocked raising the minimum wage in Michigan.
- Rogers repeatedly voted against legislation to help ensure equal pay for equal work.
- Rogers supported NAFTA and permanent normal trade relations with China, leading to the elimination of manufacturing jobs in Michigan.
- Rogers opposed allowing teachers the right to strike.
Kari Lake (AZ)
- Lake attacked teachers’ unions by claiming they don’t care about teachers.
Rick Scott (FL)
- Scott opposes raising the minimum wage.
- Scott opposed the Davis-Bacon Act which ensured federal contractors were paid the prevailing wage.
- Rick Scott refused to support new laws for equal pay for women.
Tim Sheehy (MT)
- Sheehy and his brother allegedly defrauded as many as seven former Bridger Aerospace employees of millions.
Sam Brown (NV)
- Sam Brown was hostile to teachers’ unions.
Hung Cao (VA)
- Cao opposes raising the minimum wage.
- Cao celebrated Glenn Youngkin turning down a factory that would’ve created 2,500 jobs in Virginia.
Eric Hovde (WI)
- Hovde opposes raising the minimum wage.
- Hovde defended and advocated for Act 10, which limits collective bargaining for state workers.
Published: Aug 28, 2024