Concord, NH -- Members and leaders of the nation's strongest and fastest growing union, Service Employees International Union, tonight extend their congratulations to Jeanne Shaheen on her election to the U.S. Senate.

SEIU members proved that they make politics work and elected a candidate who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Burger. "Now, instead of sitting back and waiting to see what happens, members are staying out in the streets and holding our new leaders accountable for the promises they made over this past campaign season on affordable health care and rebuild the middle class by restoring workers' freedom to join unions."

SEIU ran an independent expenditure ad in New Hampshire in August highlighting Senator John Sununu's large political contributions from prescription drug companies and the health insurance industry and another in October about his record of support for George W. Bush's economic policies that helped to create the economic crisis.
SEIU members knocked on 68,714 doors, made 441,596 phone calls and sent 214,500 pieces of direct mail to targeted households in New Hampshire.

Members took advantage of SEIU's intensive micro-targeting efforts to have quality conversations with the most persuadable voters over the phones and at the doors. Work began over the summer with members expanding the electorate by registering new voters and ensuring infrequent voters were registered at their current addresses. SEIU members also helped educate voters on the importance of access to quality affordable health care, jobs and economic justice, issues which, as time went on, became the defining issues of the campaign. Members also held rallies, house parties and other earned media events throughout the election to complement the one-on-one work done in the community.

By the time media attention and other campaigns arrived in the fall, SEIU members 1) had established community offices, 2) were well into their voter persuasion efforts and 3) were helping supporters vote early or by absentee and 4) transporting those who needed help getting to the polls.

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