Unions Offer Bounty Of Votes, Foot Soldiers

With organizations and volunteers to tap in every county in Maryland, the teachers group represents "a huge blanket of coverage around the state that if you had to pay for, it would be an awful lot of money," Mfume said.

The endorsements also offer candidates a less tangible benefit: A stamp of approval in an election where the concerns of working families are front and center.

"Labor gives me credibility on these issues, which is what will help me with turnout," Cardin said.

In practical terms, the AFL-CIO's support has meant union members going door-to-door and sending mailers to get the word out to their members about Cardin, as well as help with erecting 8-by-4-foot red-and-blue signs across the state.

The teachers, meanwhile, have hosted recent "meet-and-greets" for Mfume and coordinated forums featuring the candidate as he talks about the federal No Child Left Behind law. Mfume was showcased at a meeting of Prince George's County teachers last week.

Members of the association have also been encouraged to volunteer for phone banks, door-to-door canvassing and sign-wavings at busy intersections.

The teachers are distributing the list of their choices far beyond their own members. A spokesman for the organization said that "hundreds of thousands" of the sample ballots with apple logos have been sent out-- more than 160,000 in Montgomery County alone.

In Maryland's other marquee race, the gubernatorial contest, some analysts say the teachers' endorsement has helped Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D) combat criticism from Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) about his city's low-performing schools.

O'Malley chose to announce some education initiatives last week at the headquarters of the Baltimore County teachers' association to underscore that support. His backdrop, which appeared in television coverage of the event, included several "Teacher Recommended" stickers that the statewide association has produced.

The stickers are also starting to show up on some yard signs of candidates across the state.

O'Malley, who became the Democrat's presumptive nominee in June after Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan withdrew from the race, is also reaping the benefits of the AFL-CIO endorsement. Union leaders say their desire to replace Ehrlich, whom they see as hostile to their interests, has emboldened their efforts.

Frank "Buddy" Howard was among the other early arrivals at last week's labor rally in Baltimore. The retired tin mill worker was clad in a T-shirt that resembled a homemade quilt, with different patches made from logos of labor-endorsed candidates, including Cardin and O'Malley.