Unions plan on spending big for 2010 elections

Labor unions are looking to follow last year’s record campaign donations collected as both parties gear up for November elections.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Republican’s have set a target of $40 million, a steady increase from the $30 million collected last year. Democrats on the other hand have set the bar a little lower with $20 million, a step down from last year’s $23 million raised. The groups plan to spend a combined $170 million this year on elections this year,  a year with a record 37 governor races.

“That is about 70% more than they spent in 2006, the last time a similarly large number of governors’ races were on the ballot,” wrote the Wall Street Journal.

The biggest reason labor unions are focusing so much of their donations to both parties is because of the 2010 Census and redistricting.

“That’s where all the marbles are,” said Larry Scanlon, the political director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.  The union has donated $2.3 million to the Democratic Governors Association, becoming the largest contributor to the group in the current election cycle.

Figures for the current year’s fundraising are not yet available.