FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 08, 2026
October 08, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 7 Candidates for Election to Congress Representing Wisconsin
Categories:
Congress, Election 2026, House
AFGE says endorsed candidates will support federal employees and all working people
WASHINGTON –– The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of seven candidates running to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. House in the 2026 election. The general election is Nov. 3.
Two of the endorsed candidates are incumbents seeking reelection: Reps. Mark Pocan (CD-2) and Gwen Moore (CD-4). The remaining five are newcomers: Mitchell Berman (CD-1), Andrew Beck (CD-5), Brad Smith (CD-6), Fred Clark (CD-7), and Rick Crosson (CD-8).
“At a time when federal employees and the services Americans depend on are under attack, we need leaders in Congress who will have the backs of working people and public servants. These candidates have made that commitment. AFGE is proud to stand with them, and we’re ready to fight alongside them” said AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson.
Both Reps. Pocan and Moore have cosponsored the Protect America’s Workforce Act (HR 2550), which would rescind President Trump’s March 2025 executive order banning collective bargaining for most of the federal workforce.
The other endorsed candidates bring direct experience to their campaigns, either as former federal workers, veterans, labor advocates, or through prior elected service:
- Mitchell Berman, with more than 23 years of healthcare experience, has spent over a decade serving veterans and their families at the VA Medical Center and is challenging incumbent Rep. Bryan Steil in the 2nd District.
- Andrew Beck built a career in healthcare and business, working alongside Wisconsin workers and manufacturers while solving problems, and is running in the 5th District against incumbent Scott Fitzgerald.
- Brad Smith is a lifelong Wisconsinite, veteran, and business leader who is challenging incumbent Glenn Grothman in the 6th District.
- Fred Clark has spent years working outdoors in all seasons throughout the state and is challenging Mitchell Alfonso in the 7th District.
- Rick Crosson served over two decades in the U.S. Army, flying surveillance missions along the Iron Curtain and later serving as the U.S. Military liaison. He is challenging Incumbent Tony Wied in the 8th District.
Nearly 29,000 federal employees live in Wisconsin – caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents nearly 43,000 federal employees in District 7, which includes Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Written by OPEIU 2 AFL-CIO
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