IAM Union Local 2003 recently held its third annual “Stakes at the Gate” political forum on Saturday, Aug. 16, drawing union members, community leaders, and residents across the area.
The event, hosted at the IAM Local 2003 Union Hall in Daleville, provided a platform for more than 25 candidates from city council, mayoral, state, and federal races to speak directly to union members and the public. More than 4,000 union activists and over 50,000 Alabama residents had the opportunity to hear candidates’ positions on key issues.
“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.”
The forum emphasized the power of solidarity and civic engagement.
“Our union hall is not only a place for negotiations, it’s a place where democracy is practiced,” said IAM Local 2003 President Anthony Holton. “The turnout today proves that when we say show up, be heard, and be counted, our members take that seriously.”
Participating Candidates
Speakers included:
- Daleville City Council:Jada Stone, Karl Boesen, Alicia Jo Reese, Glen Lininger, James Roberts, Katheryn Horace
- Ozark City Council:Dr. Danella Peterson, Winston Jackson
- Ozark Mayor Race:Mark Blankenship, Charles Ward
- Enterprise Mayor Race:Lister Reeves, Bill Baker
- Enterprise City Council District 2:Kenneth LeBlanc
- Level Plains Mayor Race:James JR. Cambron
- Daleville Mayor Race:Jayme Stayton, Kevin Turley
- State and Federal Races:Josh Carnley (Alabama State Senate, current), Mark Wheeler (U.S. Senate), Dakarai Larriett (U.S. Senate), Chad Martin (Governor), Will Boyd (Governor)
“The Alabama State Council is proud to help create a space where working families can hold candidates accountable,” said Rickie Langford, President of the IAM Alabama State Council. “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.”
“The Stakes at the Gate forum has quickly become a cornerstone of political engagement in the state,” said Michelle Hunt, Vice President of the IAM Alabama State Council. “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 made possible by dozens of IAM Union Local 2003 volunteers and organizers, including Tina Jenkins, IAM Union District 75 Business Representative; Angela Britt, IAM Union Local 2003 Women’s and Safety Committee Chair; Trent Traxler and Caleb Trawick, Young IAM Union Young Worker Co-Chairs, John Tonelli, GNC for M1 Contract; and Frank Turney, IAM Union Local 2003 Trustee.
“This event shows the power of union democracy,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “I applaud IAM Union Local 2003 for leading the efforts for increased political education in our Union. Candidates know that if you want to reach the heart of Alabama, you come here to talk to the members of IAM Local 2003.”
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