Economy, Jobs and Trade

Union fees and right-to-work laws

27 public statements from 2026 candidates

§1The range of views

Why this matters: These laws affect how much money and bargaining power unions have, and whether workers covered by a union contract must help pay for it.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

State laws that bar union contracts from requiring workers to pay union dues or fees to keep their jobs; about half the states have one.1

  1. Pass a national right-to-work law
  2. Leave it to each state
  3. Allow union contracts that require fees in every state, overriding state right-to-work laws

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Pass a national right-to-work law (1)

  • Mark Harris NC-8
    His campaign website's Accomplishments page lists the National Right-to-Work Act among bills he cosponsored, under a heading on supporting workers' rights.2

Leave it to each state (3)

  • Mike Cargile CA-35
    His campaign website says each state should decide whether to adopt a right-to-work policy.3
  • Alani Bankhead MT Senate
    Her campaign website says she would block a national right-to-work law, saying Montana chose not to be a right-to-work state and Congress should not override that choice.4
  • Macey Budke NE-3
    Her campaign website says she respects Nebraska's right-to-work tradition and believes Nebraska voters should shape state labor policy.5

Allow union contracts that require fees in every state, overriding state right-to-work laws (6)

  • Amanda N. Pusczek AL-4
    Her campaign website says she supports the PRO Act in part to undo state right-to-work laws.6
  • Angie Nixon FL Senate special
    Her campaign website says she supports ending right-to-work laws.7
  • Dave Bushaw IA-2
    His platform page says he will fight to end right-to-work laws, which it says let workers who do not pay union dues receive the benefits of union contracts.8
  • Kaylee Peterson ID-1
    Her campaign website says she will repeal right-to-work laws.9
  • Drew Cox IN-4
    His campaign website says the Workplace Democracy Act, which he will vote for, would also eliminate state right-to-work laws.10
  • Ilhan Omar MN-5
    It calls for banning right-to-work legislation, which it says undermines unions' ability to speak for their members.11

Statements that don't match one option (17)

  • Connie Chan CA-11
    Her campaign website says she would end right-to-work loopholes that undermine union contracts.12
  • Scott Wiener CA-11
    His campaign website says he would fight national right-to-work legislation.13
  • Todd Schaefer FL-4
    His campaign website says Florida's right-to-work laws have weakened workers' rights and lowered wages, and that he will fight to strengthen labor rights.14
  • Delia Ramirez IL-3
    Her campaign website lists among her Illinois House record co-sponsoring a resolution to enshrine the right to unionize in the Illinois constitution and prevent the spread of right-to-work laws.15
  • Mike Quigley IL-5
    His campaign website says he has been outspoken in opposing right-to-work laws, which it says reduce union budgets and weaken unions' ability to negotiate contracts.16
  • Morgan McGarvey KY-3
    His campaign website says that in the state Senate he opposed Right to Work.17
  • Lauren Jewett LA-1
    Her campaign website says she supports the PRO Act to give workers bargaining power regardless of right-to-work laws.18
  • Jeremy Moss MI-11
    His campaign website lists among his accomplishments being part of the Michigan Senate leadership team that repealed the state’s right-to-work law, and says right-to-work policies undermine the strength of unions.19
  • DeVelle L. Jackson MN-5
    It also opposes national right-to-work laws, which it says weaken collective bargaining.20
  • Bethany E Mann MO-3
    Her campaign website says right-to-work is wrong for Missouri and that she will stand against any version of such legislation.21
  • Seth Bodnar MT Senate
    His campaign website says he will oppose right-to-work legislation.22
  • Brian J Miller MT-2
    His campaign website says he opposes right-to-work legislation in any form.23
  • Bo Whitehead NC-8
    His campaign website says he wants to tear down right-to-work and at-will employment laws, which it says make unionizing nearly impossible.24
  • Richard N. Ojeda II NC-9
    His campaign website's Standing Up for Working Families page says right-to-work laws should be repealed, saying they weaken unions and keep wages low.25
  • Ryan Michael Kelly NJ-3
    His campaign website says he opposes right-to-work laws.26
  • Aaron D. Ford NV Governor
    His campaign website says he would repeal Nevada's right-to-work law.27
  • Amy Acton OH Governor
    Her campaign website says she would make sure Ohio never becomes a right-to-work state.28