Teamsters Union Leads Coalition Efforts in Iowa Caucuses to Elect Congressman Dick Gephardt

Union leaders, including Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa, have been actively campaigning in the Iowa caucuses to support Congressman Dick Gephardt's presidential bid. The Teamsters are part of the Alliance for Economic Justice, a coalition of labor unions that have been working together to secure a win for Gephardt. The coalition's efforts have included house visits and phone calls to members of participating unions, with over 40,000 interactions made so far. The campaign's enthusiasm and solidarity among union members are evident, with participants visiting families in a member-to-member campaign.

Key Takeaways:

• The Teamsters Union, led by General President James P. Hoffa, is a key player in the Alliance for Economic Justice's efforts to elect Congressman Dick Gephardt.
• The coalition has made over 40,000 house visits and phone calls to members of participating unions, demonstrating the level of enthusiasm and solidarity among union members.
• The campaign is a member-to-member effort, with participants often paired with a member from another union to visit families and campaign for Gephardt.
• Dick Gephardt's experience and homegrown Iowan-to-Iowan edge have been touted as key advantages in his presidential bid.
• The New York Times has quoted Gephardt as saying he "hails from neighboring Missouri, won the Iowa caucuses in 1988, and is now running on his experience."

Statistics:

• Over 40,000 house visits and phone calls have been made to members of Alliance for Economic Justice unions.
• The campaign has been a member-to-member effort, with participants often paired with a member from another union to visit families and campaign for Gephardt.
• Dick Gephardt won the Iowa caucuses in 1988.

Sources:

• PR Newswire[^1]
• The New York Times[^2]