IAM Local 2003 in Daleville, Alabama, held its third annual “Stakes at the Gate” political forum on August 16. The event brought together union members, community leaders, and residents to hear from more than 25 candidates running for city council, mayoral, state, and federal offices.
The forum took place at the IAM Local 2003 Union Hall. According to organizers, it provided an opportunity for over 4,000 union activists and more than 50,000 Alabama residents to listen to candidates discuss their positions on issues important to working families.
“This event gives working people in Alabama the chance to connect directly with those seeking to represent them,” said IAM Local 2003 Legislative Chairman Patrick Wise. “When candidates show up here, they’re showing they value the voices of working families. Allowing each candidate to present their whole platform is essential and has worked in favor of some serious races across Alabama.”
IAM Local 2003 President Anthony Holton highlighted the significance of the union hall as a space for civic engagement. “Our union hall is not only a place for negotiations, it’s a place where democracy is practiced,” Holton said. “The turnout today proves that when we say show up, be heard, and be counted, our members take that seriously.”
Candidates who participated included Jada Stone, Karl Boesen, Alicia Jo Reese, Glen Lininger, James Roberts, and Katheryn Horace for Daleville City Council; Dr. Danella Peterson and Winston Jackson for Ozark City Council; Mark Blankenship and Charles Ward for Ozark Mayor; Lister Reeves and Bill Baker for Enterprise Mayor; Kenneth LeBlanc for Enterprise City Council District 2; James JR. Cambron for Level Plains Mayor; Jayme Stayton and Kevin Turley for Daleville Mayor; Josh Carnley (Alabama State Senate), Mark Wheeler (U.S. Senate), Dakarai Larriett (U.S. Senate), Chad Martin (Governor), and Will Boyd (Governor) in state and federal races.
Rickie Langford, President of the IAM Alabama State Council stated: “The Alabama State Council is proud to help create a space where working families can hold candidates accountable. Events like Stakes at the Gate make sure our voices are heard loud and clear to help shape the future for Alabama’s working families.”
Michelle Hunt, Vice President of the IAM Alabama State Council added: “The Stakes at the Gate forum has quickly become a cornerstone of political engagement in the state. This forum ensures that working men and women are not left out of the political conversation. We tie together all the issues that matter to Alabama residents, including jobs, healthcare, and education.”
The event was organized by volunteers from IAM Union Local 2003 including Tina Jenkins (District 75 Business Representative), Angela Britt (Women’s and Safety Committee Chair), Trent Traxler and Caleb Trawick (Young Worker Co-Chairs), John Tonelli (GNC for M1 Contract), and Frank Turney (Trustee).
