Socialist Workers Party campaigners are introducing the party’s candidates and the working-class road forward — on workers’ doorsteps, at strike picket lines, and at protests in defense of workers’ interests, like actions called to oppose Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Through these efforts the party is gaining ballot status for its candidates.
In Trenton, New Jersey, May 26, SWP candidates in District 33, Joanne Kuniansky for State Senate and Lea Sherman for General Assembly, filed over 150 signatures each, three times the requirement. Kuniansky recently joined protests by nurses at Clara Maass Hospital in Belleville, New Jersey, who are fighting for their first union contract. She also attended a rally by members of the Writers Guild of America on strike for a livable wage and against attacks by the bosses. (See article).
“We discuss with all the workers we meet the need for unions to chart an independent political course, to form their own party, a labor party based on the unions,” Kuniansky told the Militant, “and we’re getting a good response.”
In Washington state, Rebecca Williamson, SWP candidate for City Council District 5 in Seattle, was certified for the ballot May 18.
The May 26 Seattle Times reported on the views of the 10 District 5 candidates. Williamson is the only worker among them. “The crisis we face comes from what the bosses’ class does to solve the crisis of their system on the backs of workers and farmers,” the paper quotes her.
“At the heart of US politics is the defense of Constitutional freedoms won in struggle,” Williamson stated. “Regardless of the target of unconstitutional searches and seizures, frame-ups and FBI spying and violations of due process, these are rights that we need, and must be defended unconditionally.”
In Philadelphia, SWP candidate for mayor Chris Hoeppner met Maurice Fleming May 28. Fleming is a home-care worker. “We don’t get days off for holidays, our clients need round-the-clock care,” he said.
“I haven’t voted since Obama and probably shouldn’t have voted for him either,” he said. “Neither party has done anything for us.”
“Workers need to break from the Democrats and Republicans,” Hoeppner responded. “We need to build a labor party based on the unions.”
Fleming described the difficulties he and others have experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic. “I know a lot of people who have had to move back in with their parents because they can’t afford to live on their own.”
“Or start a family!” Hoeppner added. “We need a massive public-works program to create jobs at union-scale pay to build the roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and housing that we need.” Fleming expressed interest in attending an upcoming campaign rally.
Abby Tilsner in Philadelphia contributed to this article.