How Nevada’s Unions Shape Elections and Policy
Labor unions hold significant sway in Nevada’s politics. Representing workers in industries like hospitality, construction, education, and public safety, they shape policy, drive voter engagement, and provide campaign support, shaping Nevada’s economic and political landscape. As of 2024, Nevada’s workforce includes approximately 166,000 union members, representing 12.1% of workers, surpassing the national average of 9.9%. Unions were the leading donor category to legislators during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226, Nevada’s largest and most influential labor organization, represents 60,000 hospitality workers, primarily in Las Vegas casinos and resorts. Renowned for its political operation, the union influences elections through voter mobilization, including mail ballot collection, ballot curing, and get-out-the-vote initiatives that increase Democrat turnout. In the 2020 presidential and senate elections, their multi-million-dollar campaigns helped secure victories for Joe Biden (D) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D), with over 70% turnout among union members contributing to Nevada's narrow Democratic Party wins. Similarly, in the 2022 midterms, their targeted operations were pivotal in Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's (D) tight reelection to the U.S. Senate by less than 1%, flipping the race amid high hospitality worker participation; their 2024 efforts sustained this momentum, aiding Democrats in holding congressional seats like Rep. Susie Lee's (D) amid national Republican gains.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1107 and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) also wield influence in Nevada politics. SEIU, representing approximately 20,000 healthcare workers, actively supports Democrat campaigns in Clark County. AFSCME, with around 15,000 state and local government employees, similarly bolsters Democratic Party efforts through voter mobilization and advocacy. They are notably active in engaging with the Nevada Legislature.
Among teacher unions, Nevada State Education Association (NSEA), Clark County Education Association (CCEA), and Washoe County Education Association (WCEA) represent approximately 30,000 Nevada teachers. These unions aggressively lobby Nevada’s Legislature for more education funding and progressive policies while opposing school choice. They significantly supported former Governor Steve Sisolak’s (D) campaigns with millions in contributions and grassroots efforts. Their partisan actions, including pushing LGBTQ+ curricula, resisting performance-based pay, and delaying COVID-19 school reopenings, have sparked heated debates in Nevada school districts.
Nevada's major police and fire unions, including the Las Vegas Police Protective Association (LVPPA), Reno Police Protective Association (RPPA), Nevada Police Union (NPU), Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada (PFFN), and others, are the main advocates for the state's public safety workforce. Representing thousands of officers and firefighters, these unions actively lobby to secure improved wages, benefits, and safety enhancements, such as body cameras, while opposing restrictive policies like performance quotas. Politically, they often align with Republican “law and order” initiatives but also support Democratic-backed collective bargaining for salary increases, navigating diverse interests to safeguard their members’ rights and well-being.
LIUNA Local 872 and IBEW Local 357 advocate for construction workers' pro-labor policies. Along with other building trades unions and the Nevada State AFL-CIO's more than 120 affiliates, they effectively mobilize voters and endorse Democrats for statewide influence. They secured public funding for key projects: lobbying for the 2016 Raiders' Allegiant Stadium ($750 million from hotel taxes, ensuring union jobs via a project labor agreement) and supporting the 2023 Oakland A's stadium ($380 million, with collective bargaining for construction and operations), despite opposition from teachers' unions like the Nevada State Education Association.
While numerous other workers' associations and labor unions influence Nevada's politics, the groups highlighted above are among the most prominent, and they predominantly align with the Nevada State Democratic Party. As the state approaches upcoming elections and legislative sessions, these unions will continue to wield significant power, skillfully connecting economic concerns to political mobilization in a battleground where outcomes hinge on narrow margins. Their enduring influence, bolstered by a strong partnership with the Democratic Party, ensures they remain pivotal in molding Nevada's political future.
