Report II · Released April 2, 2026

LIUNA

Laborers' International Union of North America · 500,000+ members

Half a million laborers. A president earning over $600,000. And ten million dollars of member money — burned at the racetrack.

The Bottom Line

LIUNA spent $183 million on politics — 96%+ to Democrats. Zero major contributions to right-of-center groups.

Political Spending

The Money

LIUNA spent nearly $200 million on political activity from member dues — almost none of it went to anyone who shares its members' values.

$183,238,433

Total political spending 2017–2024

DOL LM-2 filings

Spending on Branded Parties

Democratic organizations

~$1,200,000

Republican organizations

~$250,000

Nearly five dollars to Democratic groups for every dollar to Republicans.

96%+

Federal political $ to Democrats

Funded

Jobs With Justice, Working Partnerships USA, Blue Green Alliance, Dolores Huerta Foundation

Executive board pattern

Personal donations from VPs Farner, Ordonez, and Frye flow almost exclusively to Democrats

Endorsements & Attacks on ICE

Anti-MAGA Advocacy

President Brent Booker took the stage at the DNC. The union demanded ICE leave Minnesota. And every Democratic presidential ticket since 2020 has carried LIUNA's endorsement.

A pair of worn work boots with an American flag pin — Half a million laborers. A leadership team that endorsed every Democratic nominee since 2020.

DNC speaker

President Brent Booker addressed the 2024 Democratic National Convention

“ICE has shown a disregard for human life.”

— LIUNA statement

Presidential endorsements

Biden-Harris 2020, Harris-Walz 2024

Allied with

Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, Hakeem Jeffries

Demanded

That ICE leave the state of Minnesota

Endorsed

Tim Walz — Minnesota governor who threatened to deploy National Guard against federal agents

$10 Million on Racing

The Waste

If you wondered where your dues go, ask the pit crew.

An opulent gambling floor at night, deserted except for a lone janitor — Ten million dollars in member dues — enough to fund full apprenticeship training for thousands of laborers — spent on motor-racing sponsorships.

$10,000,000+

Spent on motor racing events since 2017

The math

Enough to fund full apprenticeship training for thousands of working laborers — spent on race sponsorships instead

Leadership Salaries vs. The Members

Self-Enrichment

The average LIUNA member earns about $50,000. The general president and secretary-treasurer each earn over $600,000 — twelve times their own members.

A marble and gold hotel lobby at night with chandeliers — Twelve times the salary of the men whose dues built it.

The Salary Gap

General President

>$600,000

Average LIUNA member

~$50,000

LIUNA's president earns roughly 12× what the average LIUNA member earns.

>$600,000

Secretary-Treasurer salary

37%

HQ staff earning >$200,000

62%

HQ staff earning >$100,000

The Pattern

LIUNA is one of seven.

LIUNA is not an outlier. Across seven major American industrial unions, the same pattern repeats: rank-and-file members who voted for Trump, led by executives who fund his opposition.