Ranking: 6
Total contributions to super PACs: $3.4 million*
- Florida Freedom PAC (pro-Obama) $1.4 million
- Priorities USA Action (pro-Obama) $1 million
- House Majority PAC (pro-Democrat) $311,000
- Rethink PAC (pro-Democrat) $300,000
- Majority PAC (pro-Democrat) $250,000
- Working for Us PAC (pro-Democrat) $21,500
Notable federal hard and soft money and 527 contributions:
- $769,000 from SEIU PACs to candidates for Congress
- Top Recipient: Rep. Christopher Donovan, D-Conn., $16,350
Notable state-level contributions, 2012:
- $30,000 to Jay Nixon, Democratic candidate for governor of Missouri
- $15,000 to Kathleen Falk, Democratic primary challenger for governor of Wisconsin
Biography:
SEIU claims a growing membership of 2.1 million workers primarily in the service sector, including healthcare, food service, security and janitorial jobs. In 2005, Andy Stern broke away from the AFL-CIO labor federation and formed a new coalition with the Teamsters and other unions. The new federation, Change to Win, formed on a promise to regenerate the labor movement by channeling resources into new member organizing, but has seen only marginal success. Three unions returned to the AFL over Stern's controversial multinational organizing strategy.
SEIU's new President Henry continues Stern's legacy of major political donations to Democratic candidates. The union was one of candidate Obama's central supporers in 2008. He reciprocated on the campaign trail, but failed to deliver on two of SEIU's major legislative priorities in his first term. The Employee Free Choice Act (which would have facilitated new organizing) and immigration reform (SEIU says it represents more immigrants than any other union) both faltered.
The union's "Accountability" campaign pledged to hold Obama's feet to the fire in 2008. The union appears poised once again to mobilize both a ground and air game for Obama in 2012.
Last updated: July 30, 2012
*2011-2012 election cycle; source, Federal Election Commission.