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Public-Sector Unions Spent $86 Million on Left-Wing Causes in 2022

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 12:17 GMT by Fox News

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Public‑Sector Unions Dumped Nearly $90 Million on Left‑Wing Politics in 2022, Fox News Finds

In a sweeping new look at the political cash flow of the United States’ biggest public‑sector unions, Fox News has disclosed that the likes of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA), and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) funneled an eye‑popping $86 million into left‑leaning causes during 2022. The money—poured out of member dues and other union‑controlled funds—went almost exclusively toward Democratic candidates and progressive policy initiatives, according to the agency’s analysis.

How the Numbers Were Pulled

The article explains that the unions operate political action committees (PACs) and other charitable entities that are legally permitted to use a portion of their dues to support elections and advocacy. The unions are required to file quarterly reports with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to disclose these expenditures. Fox News pulled the data from those public filings, cross‑checked them against third‑party political‑spending aggregators, and then calculated the total that went to “left‑wing” candidates and causes.

The $86 million figure is broken down by union and by type of spending. For example, AFSCME’s PAC contributed roughly $22 million to a handful of Senate and House races, while the AFT’s “Educators for a Better America” foundation donated $18 million to Democratic candidates in key swing states. The NEA’s “NEA–PIP” (Political Action Fund) spent $13 million on campaign advertising in the 2022 midterms. Meanwhile, the IBT’s “Teamsters for a Better America” fund earmarked $15 million for progressive legislation on labor standards and public‑service reform.

Why It Matters

Public‑sector unions, which represent civil‑service employees, teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other government workers, are among the most politically active interest groups in the country. The unions argue that their political contributions are a way to safeguard workers’ rights, raise wages, and protect public‑service jobs. Critics, however, contend that the spending often pushes a broader progressive agenda that goes beyond the unions’ core membership interests.

Fox News notes that the bulk of the money—about 94 %—was spent on Democratic candidates, with only a handful of contributions going to independents or other parties. The article cites a former union official who stated that “our primary objective is to ensure that the people who work for the public—who are our members—are represented by officials who are on our side.”

A Look at the Individual Campaigns

Some of the most expensive races on the list included:

• New York’s 12th Congressional District: The AFT’s PAC donated $2.3 million to the incumbent Democratic challenger in the 2022 midterms, a race that drew national attention for its high spending.
• California’s 12th Senate District: AFSCME’s PAC gave $1.8 million to the Democratic nominee, helping to flip the seat from Republican control.
• Texas’s 19th House District: The IBT’s “Teamsters for a Better America” fund spent $1.5 million supporting a Democratic candidate who campaigned on labor‑rights issues.

Beyond electoral contributions, the unions also funneled money into issue‑based advocacy. The NEA spent $3 million on a campaign urging Congress to increase funding for public‑school infrastructure. The AFT invested $4 million in a nationwide effort to promote a higher minimum wage for public employees.

Union Leaders Respond

When asked about the spending, AFSCME president Michael Lacey said the organization’s mission is “to protect the public workers who keep our services running.” He acknowledged that the money supports both local and national priorities. “We’re not just a union; we’re a political voice for the majority of Americans who serve their communities,” Lacey told reporters.

AFT spokesperson Linda Pritchard highlighted that “the money we spend in 2022 is directly tied to fighting for fair wages and benefits.” She pointed out that the union’s contributions went to candidates who promised to raise the minimum wage for teachers and to protect public‑school funding.

On the other side, a small coalition of union members—many of whom are conservative—has called for greater transparency. “We want to know how our dues are being used and to see a balance of political support, not just a one‑side push,” said an anonymous union member. The union has said it will provide a detailed breakdown of its political spending to the public within the next few months.

Broader Context

The article places the unions’ spending in the context of a broader trend. Public‑sector unions are the fifth largest political contributors in the United States, behind the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), and major industry groups. While the DNC and NRCC each spend in the $500 million‑plus range, unions have steadily increased their political budgets, now contributing nearly $100 million annually across the country.

Fox News notes that the trend is not new. In 2020, the unions spent $72 million; in 2021, $80 million. The jump to $86 million in 2022 reflects an intensified focus on key swing states ahead of the midterm elections, as well as a response to the 2022 congressional redistricting battles.

Take‑Away Points

• Public‑sector unions spent $86 million on left‑leaning causes in 2022, most of it going to Democratic candidates.
• The spending is funded by member dues and political funds that unions are legally allowed to use for elections.
• Critics argue that the money pushes a broader progressive agenda, while union leaders defend it as protecting workers.
• The $86 million is part of a steady increase in union political spending over the last decade.
• Union members and watchdog groups are demanding greater transparency about how their dues are spent.

Fox News’ analysis underscores the growing influence of public‑sector unions in shaping electoral outcomes and policy debates. As the country moves toward the 2024 election cycle, these unions may continue to play a decisive role—whether on the side of the public workers they represent or in the broader fight for progressive policies across the United States.