Investing In Our Own

The Path-to-Power Program is a project of the Indiana AFL-CIO to identify, recruit, and elect candidates to run for local government offices. The purpose is to shift the power in local government to favor stronger pro-worker policies and develop a bench of candidates to move into higher office. 

Starting in 2019 with 8 municipal wins, in 2023 we increased the municipal wins to 25. Even in a difficult Presidential election in 2020 where 5 union members elected we were able to elect 7 more in another difficult cycle last year. We are also excited for 2026 to increase the number of union members that were elected in the “off-year” cycle!  We have successfully elected 55 Path-to-Power members to office to date since its inception and are looking forward to expanding our program.

The IN AFL-CIO will work with affiliates, other state federations, local labor bodies and close partners to identify union members who are progressive, pro-working-family candidates who can run winning campaigns in identified races and will support those candidates through our Education Fund for Member-to-Member outreach.

As a labor leader who may be considering running for local government office, or if you know someone who might be a good candidate, here are the steps for entry into our Path-to-Power Program:

The program now consists of five steps in sequential order:

  1. Procure a local union support letter from the local’s principal officer; 

  2. Fill out the online questionnaire HERE;

  3. The State Federation will submit this support letter and a questionnaire for a potential endorsement to the relevant local body. This endorsement is a mandatory prerequisite for admission to the Labor Candidate School;

  4. Successfully complete the two-day Labor Candidate School held the First full weekend of every August;

  5. Upon completion of all prerequisites, the State Federation will convene their Path-to-Power Committee for a final determination for program entry. 

A local union support letter template can be found HERE. Please email political@inaflcio.org with any questions.