A recent report, initially shared by the Daily Caller News Foundation, reveals that significant transportation unions have funneled millions into pro-Democrat campaigns while using member funds for entertainment and leisure activities.
The American Accountability Foundation’s findings suggest that SMART-TD directed funds to Democratic candidates and liberal causes, prioritizing travel, entertainment, casinos, and resorts over member interests. This spending raises concerns that union leadership is misaligned with the blue-collar workers, often referred to as MAGA workers, that they represent.
SMART-TD represents around 230,000 rail, bus, and transit workers and is a part of the broader Sheet Metal, Aviation, Railroad, and Transportation Workers Association.
The report indicates that from 2017 to 2024, SMART has spent over $35 million on political advocacy, with no contributions going to Republican entities. Instead, more than $1 million supported Democratic organizations, alongside even greater amounts directed at leftist interests.
Tom Jones, the president of the AAF, emphasized this disconnect, stating that while the SMART union claims to support blue-collar America, its leaders are allocating substantial funds to left-wing initiatives, despite the fact that most of its members are Republican voters. He pointed out that in recent years alone, SMART has invested over $35 million into progressive causes and controversially defended an alleged MS-13 gang member on CNN. The question arises: how long before union leaders recognize that American workers are growing weary of being sidelined?
The report also noted that SMART’s political action committees predominantly contributed to Democrats, disbursing over $2.3 million to Democratic committees while only donating $72,500 to Republicans. Additionally, nearly $1.9 million went to Democratic federal candidates, contrasted with $194,500 for Republican candidates.
It further articulates that, by backing Democratic presidential contenders like Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris, unions may be alienating blue-collar workers, who are described as having considerable support for Trump’s policies.
Besides the political contributions, the report highlights a staggering total of $136 million in political spending, which also includes expenditures for legal fees, hotels, conferences, merchandise, entertainment, travel, and food. Notably, it details that the union allocated $10 million toward casinos and resorts and another $1 million for theme parks.
The AAF report also raises concerning past incidents, including a 30-year-old hate crime charge against SMART Senior Vice President Zachary Nagy, who was imprisoned for a cross-burning incident outside a Black family’s residence in 1996. This revelation follows comments from union leadership, some of whom identified as strong Democrats.
Data on spending was sourced from annual financial reports submitted by unions to federal authorities, while information about PAC and independent spending came from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
SMART-TD has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding these findings.
