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AFL-CIO Head Richard Trumka Says Union Support for Biden Was Strong

Alex Leary
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Democrat Joe Biden gained more of the vote from members of the AFL-CIO than Hillary Clinton did four years ago, its president said, crediting laborers for the party’s wins in key states.

"Simply put, we got out the vote," AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told reporters Thursday. "In Wisconsin, in Michigan, in Pennsylvania, Joe Biden's firewall was union made. And the labor movement is expanding the map--look at Arizona, look at Georgia."

Fifty-eight percent of AFL-CIO members voted for Mr. Biden, Mr. Trumka said, citing an internal post-election survey. He said support for Mr. Biden was 4 percentage points higher than the member backing Mrs. Clinton received in 2016.

Mr. Trumka said while Mr. Biden’s victory wasn’t final he was confident in the outcome. "Tom Petty got it right when he said 'the waiting is the hardest part,'” he said. “Every vote must be counted."

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