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This article was featured in the Summer 2026 IAM Journal and was written by IAM Communications Representative Angela Colaizzi.
Newly elected Texas State Senator Taylor Rehmet made history as a working-class voice representing 1.2 million constituents in Texas when he won his run-off election on Jan. 31, 2026.
Rehmet is a U.S. Air Force veteran, president of both IAM Local 776B and the Texas IAM State Council, and a mechanic at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth. He ran a common-sense campaign that targeted the priorities of working families, as opposed to touting culture-war politics. Now, he is the first rank-and-file union member to ever serve in the Texas State Senate.
A proud member of our union, Rehmet used his leadership as a union steward and his IAM Union political training to create a successful campaign that focused on funding public schools, protecting veterans, investing in affordable housing, and putting workers first. He participated in the IAM’s Political Seminar and the Texas AFL-CIO’s Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy, which provide members with skills to actively engage in legislative and political campaigns, build connections, and encourage them to run for public office.
Rehmet’s election made national headlines. Despite spending hundreds of thousands of dollars less than his competition, Rehmet won with more than 57% of the vote. He flipped a seat that had been held by the GOP for 35 years. But Rehmet didn’t win because of partisan voting; he won because his platform crossed party lines and centered on directly improving the lives of his constituents.
With strong support from the labor movement, including the IAM Union, Rehmet’s message resonated with Texans because he put aside playing politics to address real societal issues: workers’ rights, education, affordability, and access to opportunity.
On the day of his swearing-in, we sat down with Rehmet to get his perspective on this historic campaign for the IAM Union, Texas, and all working people.
Q&A with Taylor Rehmet
How has your leadership journey been shaped by IAM Union’s political training?
“Really the foundation of learning to represent was built in my union. I learned in my union, through our training and through role models, that the first thing to do is surround yourself with good folks and people who are really here for the right reasons, and now that’s what I do anywhere I go.
“My campaign staff was all locally sourced in my district or right next to it. We used Texas-based vendors — union vendors.
“My union also taught me that disagreement is not something to go to war over. We need to have conversations. We’re a democratic organization, and we have so much open discussion in our union. It really made me realize that whenever someone disagrees with you, it’s not disloyalty. It’s the beginning of understanding.”
Can you talk about the support you received from the labor community?
“Well, first off, the IAM had my back from day one. I had the support of General Vice President Craig Martin. He was always a mentor to me, always helped me along the way, even before I ran for office.
“I also had a lot of support from my district [IAM District 776]. They helped me navigate the campaign issues and gave me advice, along with my campaign staff. So it was really good to have all of them in my corner, and I felt so supported and able to take on this election.”
You won on a platform focused on lowering costs and strengthening job opportunities. Why did that message resonate?
“I think that is because a lot of people may identify with either party, but what we’re really fighting for, both sides can agree on— our wages have not kept up. And really, our retirement is further away than ever.
“This is about unifying us, right? That’s a core tenant of being in a union. That’s something else my union taught me — that we all need to be unified and focus on what brings us together, not what divides us. Because we can spend a ton of time finding what divides us, but where is that going to get us? It’s not going to drive us forward.”
What does this election show about where working people are politically?
“It shows that they’re politically upset with both sides. We have not had enough representation on either side, and we’re going to have to find a way to meet the moment — and that’s what I did.”
“I think that’s what people are looking for — authenticity. I know the struggles of working folks. I’m one of them. Who better to represent you than someone who is a peer?”
Do you see more working people like yourself running for office?
“We have a couple candidates. One of them is Marcos Velez. He’s running for Lieutenant Governor, and we have Jose Loya running for land commissioner. They’re both Steelworkers. They’re both union guys. They really understand what it’s like.
“Labor is going to have to have their hands directly on the levers of power to make sure that working Texans get a fair shake here.”
What are you focused on now?
“When I’m in my union, I want to make sure that I’m going around and checking on people, making sure they are supported. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do with my district office.
“We want to make sure that people, especially working folks, have a place they can go to. If they don’t have a game plan, they can come to my office and get representation — feel supported.”
What message do you have for IAM members and other union members?
“If your heart’s in the right place and you have a passion for representing folks — a lot of us learn that we do by stepping up to be a steward for the first time — you can do it. Representation is something that we have perfected in unions, and that does translate to public service.
“It’s the same work that you do on the shop floor. Just scale it bigger. Build community, stay unified, and run for office if you feel compelled to because I definitely did. I hope that I see other brothers, sisters, and siblings running for office. It is our time to do that.”
Solidarity to the End
IAM District 776 members took a bus from Fort Worth to Austin to support Rehmet at his swearing-in ceremony. IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin, whom Rehmet called an important mentor, made sure to be there to witness history for our union and the state.
“It’s a proud day for the IAM and a proud day for labor in Texas,” said Martin on the day Rehmet took the oath of office. “We’re excited for Taylor. We’re here to celebrate and support him, and we are proud to be on this journey with him.”
Rehmet made a promise to the congregation of his supporters: “I will never vote to make life harder for working Texans, especially if it makes politics easier for myself.”
A Growing Movement of IAM Members Seeking Public Office
Rehmet is not the only IAM member whose union values and leadership led to running for public office. Across the country, IAM members are recognizing that the skills they sharpen as stewards, negotiators, organizers, and activists are directly transferable to public service. From local boards to the federal government, union members are increasingly answering the call to serve. Here’s just a few:
Cornelius Fowler
Cornelius Fowler, an IAM Local 2152 (District 166) member, is a candidate for the Florida State House. He credits the IAM Union for getting him involved with political and legislative activism and prompting him to run for office.
“My inspiration for running came from being in the union and getting exposure to how our legislatures work behind the scenes,” said Fowler. “By traveling to our state capitol, traveling to DC, and meeting with countless of our elected officials through the union.”
“Some of our elected officials are very hostile towards union members and that just encouraged me to run, because I know that’s what we need,” said Fowler. “We need more working-class people in our State Capitol representing the people to the fullest. Many of our elected officials have a disconnect. They are no longer connected to the daily lives of people in our communities and they show that in the legislation that they pass. I’m a strong believer that we should not only be able to survive, but we should be able to thrive in the communities that we live in. My union taught me that.”
Jerry McCarty
Jerry McCarty is an IAM Assistant Organizer Coordinator who came from the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) and has served on the Redwater Independent School District Board of Trustees in Texas for six years. He is now running unopposed for his third term. His family has been in the area for more than 100 years, and he went to school in that same district.
“When we’re on the organizing trail, we don’t talk ‘you have to vote this way’ or ‘vote that way.’ We tell people to pay attention to how the people you vote for are voting on labor issues.” said McCarty. “Don’t just vote party lines because you’ve always done that. That’s the problem. I think a lot of people are fed up with slamming each other on what we need to fix. Don’t talk about what everybody’s doing wrong — fix something. Give me a solution, not problems.”
Former IAM Local 1284 President Dave Tackett is a locomotive machinist at Amtrak’s Wilmington, Delaware shops and has been serving as an elected New Castle County Councilmember for 22 years.
Dave Tackett
“I say this all the time; the people who need to be representing the average constituent voter here in our state are the ones that go to work every day, and they work hard, and they wear work boots, and they know what it’s like to have to work to earn your money in order to support your family,” said Tackett. “Those are the ones who really have a full grasp of the needs of the people.”
Tackett is trying to mentor union members and encourage them to run for any public office, because he believes that the people who represent us should be one of us.
“We want to empower and educate our peers to run for public office, because who knows better, what we need, and the issues we face than us. Who knows better than someone just like you? If anyone is considering running for office, I’ll help you identify a district, help you with drafting your literature to hand out, and help with campaigning. I’ll teach you about door knocking and help you target who you need to identify as your voters.”
Maine gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson, Maine State Senate Candidate Mark Vigliotta, and IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan.
In Maine, IAM Local 836 member and Associate Organizer Mark Vigliotta is currently running for State Senate, bringing his union experience and commitment to working families on the campaign trail. Like Rehmet, Vigliotta understands firsthand the challenges facing working people — from rising costs to retirement insecurity — and he wants to bring the same representation he gave to his local membership, to District 33 Mainers.
“It took a little convincing, and I decided to put my hat in the ring. I decided to run,” said Vigliotta. “The biggest thing that I used to say as a chief steward is that I want fair and equitable treatment for all people. Then, I meant that I want to make sure management isn’t going to pull one over on our members, and that’s how I feel about representing District 33. I want the government to work for the people of the district.”
Troy Jackson is a former IAM member and fifth-generation logger who served as the Maine State Senate President from 2018 to 2024. He is the son of a public-school teacher, a father of two, and is now running for Governor in Maine. His platform is anchored by working-people and our universal experience of being left behind by elected elites.
“I know what it’s like to work in the woods, and I know what it’s like to not have a governor who has your back,” said Jackson. “There are people that work in the woods, people that work on the lobster boats, people that are farming in the fields, workers in construction, teachers in the classroom, nurses in hospitals — it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, if you’re a working-class person that feels like you’re getting left behind, I know that feeling. I’ve been there, and I’m going to be a governor that stands up for you.”
Sam Forstag is a National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) member who was a firefighter smokejumper and union leader. He’s running in Montana’s U.S. House of Representatives race this year to make sure working people have a voice in Congress.
Sam Forstag
“The richest people in this country are trying to burn it all down so they can buy it all up,” said Forstag. “Meanwhile, folks are breaking their backs, barely getting by, can’t afford the doctor, priced out of house and home, just one surprise bill away from devastation.”
Forstag’s campaign, like Rehmet’s, Fowler’s, Vigliotta’s, and Jackson’s, is about giving everyday people — our neighbors, our coworkers, our family members, and our children — a real voice. The rich and powerful get elected and betray their constituents. Forstag says Montanans deserve one of their own fighting for them in Congress.
“While we’re working more but getting less, DC isn’t doing much about it, either because they don’t hear the siren or because they set the blaze,” says Forstag. “I know what it’s like to work a thousand hours of overtime and still be holding on by my fingernails, and I’ve seen the Montana we love burn around us while corporations and billionaires buy up our housing. Let’s fix this together.”
Each of these candidates is approaching their campaigns from the same angle that Rehmet did: this isn’t about red or blue; it’s about common ground. We all want better schools, better working conditions, better communities, better representation, and better lives. Labor’s voice is needed in policymaking at every level, because working people will speak for all of us.
“IAM members are stepping forward to bring working-class representation into our legislatures,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “They’ve built skills through representing all kinds of people as union stewards, standing up to injustice, and fighting for fairness. We are excited to see more union members take their representation beyond our contracts and our union, to the public.”
As Senator Rehmet put it: “It is our time.”
Video: In an interview with Taylor Rehmet, he talks about his campaign on the day he was sworn into office. iam4.me/rehmet-interview
