Political Endorsements
Since the 2020 election, Actors' Equity Association has worked to build more political power for union members by forming a political action committee, expanding the union's use of political endorsements and sending union members to turn out union voters in battleground states.
Equity's public policy priorities nationwide include defending and protecting the right to collectively bargain, a prevailing wage in the arts, racial justice, a strong minimum wage, stronger federal and state arts funding, gun violence prevention, universal federal health care, tax fairness and LGBTQ non-discrimination protections.
Senate Races
Sherrod Brown
Ohio
"We need Sherrod Brown representing Ohio in the Senate, now more than ever," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "We have seen him fight for a better country during his time in office, and we worked with him directly on tax fairness for arts workers. We need to reclaim this seat for workers everywhere and resume the good work to advance workers' rights!"
Roy Cooper
North Carolina
"In his years of public service, Roy Cooper has shown time and again that he prioritizes working people: their health care coverage, their right to organize, their ability to earn a living wage," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "Here at Equity we are excited to see him bring his values to the national stage. This is an important Senate seat at a crucial time, and he is the right person for the job."
Jon Ossoff
Georgia
"I'm so grateful that Senator Ossoff has made it a priority to get to know the unique challenges facing arts workers, and has committed to being a champion for us," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "This is no surprise; he never wastes an opportunity to better the lives of workers, from his support for a higher federal minimum wage to his sponsorship of the PRO Act. We stand fully behind him and look forward to fighting with him to win another term in the U.S. Senate."
Chris Pappas
New Hampshire
"As a member of the House, Chris Pappas has been fiercely dedicated to labor issues," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "We at Equity have been impressed by Rep. Pappas's interest in Equity's legislative priorities, and we know as he heads to the Senate that he'll have our back, and the backs of workers across industries."
James Talarico
Texas
"James Talarico has already made an impact on the state of Texas, passing legislation based on his deep understanding of what working people need to build better lives," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association, "Texas is one of the country's most robust live theatre markets, and we need someone who will go to bat for our members on everything from public arts funding to healthcare reform. Together, we can deliver this seat to a pro-labor candidate."
Congressional Races
Daniel Biss
IL09
"Daniel Biss has gone to bat time and time again for unions in Illinois, and we join our colleagues across the labor movement in supporting his campaign," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "Many Equity members live and work in Illinois's 9th district, and Biss has demonstrated that he understands how the performing arts are an integral part of Chicagoland's economy and community. We look forward to working closely with him!"
Micah Lasher
NY12
"When we put out the call to support our Live Arts Agenda, Micah Lasher responded loudly and quickly that he is with us," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "And it's no coincidence that Lasher is a dyed-in-the-wool theatre fan. He sees our members at work regularly, and he understands the service they provide to New York City and the national economy. We feel his enthusiasm, and in kind we can’t wait to work with him as a member of the U.S. Congress."
Gubernatorial Races
Kathy Hochul
New York
"Throughout her time in office, Governor Hochul has time and again justified our faith in her and consistently supported increases in state arts funding to make New York a national leader," said Al Vincent, Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "Through her support of initiatives from the critically important Broadway tax credit to legislation that will provide public funding to support arts nonprofits across New York State, Governor Hochul is helping build a strong live arts economy in New York. We look forward to more important leadership in her next term that bolsters the live entertainment industry and supports its workers."
JB Pritzker
Illinois
"Over the last eight years, Governor Pritzker has transformed Illinois, and the work is not over," said Al Vincent, Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "Governor Pritzker has invested in the arts and boosted Illinois arts funding – despite the budget headwinds – because he knows entertainment was already central to Illinois's economy. He has embraced grants for the arts all across the state. Let's keep that momentum going, in public arts funding and all the other ways to better workers' lives."
NY12 Live Arts Agenda
From Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center and Broadway, New York's 12th Congressional District is the unquestioned live arts capital of the world, home to thousands of arts workers who make New York City an international destination for millions of tourists.
With the open NY12 Congressional Seat, New York has a rare opportunity to elect a true live arts champion to represent the thousands of musicians, actors, stage managers, directors, writers, stagehands, dancers, singers, crew and so many others that power a sector responsible for more than 100,000 jobs, nearly 70 percent of which are located in NY12.