Poll: union members sided with Brown

BOSTON (WPRI) - A surprising poll in the wake of the Massachusetts Senate race shows more union members voted for Republican Scott Brown than Democratic candidate Martha Coakley.

The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates for the AFL-CIO revealed 49 percent of union households voted for Brown, 46 percent for Coakley.

This despite union backing of Coakley late in her campaign.

Eyewitness Political Analyst Joe Fleming said this may be more about Coakley as a candidate rather than labor bucking a political trend.

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"She was not a good candidate," Fleming said. "She did not get out there and campaign the voters want to see someone friendly, someone very likeable, Scott Brown came across that way."

In Rhode Island, another potential political labor fight is afoot.

Democrat gubernatorial Frank Caprio raised some eyebrows earlier this week with comments that seemingly distanced himself from unions.

WRNI Political Reporter Ian Donnis said the move is most likely calculated.

"It's not a surprise that most labor support in a democratic primary would go to Patrick Lynch," Donnis said. "Frank Caprio has probably decided that he's going to do better by trying to win over the independent support talking a lot about small business."

In a news release, the campaign manager for Democrat Patrick Lynch essentially called Caprio a phony Democrat.

"Frank Caprio claims he is a Democrat, but his actions speak louder than his words," said Mike Mikus. "...Caprio claims he's the most liberal candidate in the race, then, weeks later, pledges financial support for a group committed to defeating progressive Democrats across Rhode Island."

Fleming said while Lynch will most likely garner strong labor support, their votes may be splintered.

"The labor vote will get divided between Lynch and [Lincoln] Chafee," Fleming said. "Labor likes both those candidates."

One candidate who will most certainly get the cold-shoulder from labor along with Caprio, is Republican candidate John Robitaille.

In Rhode Island, labor support can prove to be a valuable asset with their ability to get out the vote and their powerful fundraising machine.