On Tuesday, SEIU members went to the polls across the country and said loud and clear that the days of 'business as usual' are over. SEIU President Mary Kay Henry:

"In a year when hardworking women and men all around this country have spent countless nights worrying about their jobs, the economy and their families' futures, voters made clear that they are looking for solutions."

In Arkansas, Lt. Governor Bill Halter pushed Sen. Blanche Lincoln into a runoff, a victory for tens of thousands of Arkansas voters who are fed up with Senator Lincoln and special interests in Washington. "We said loud and clear that we are ready for a change that helps working people. We are ready for real leadership in Washington that puts the needs and interests of Arkansas working families first," said James Brown, a Workers United member from Superior Uniform in Eudora. Read more at NY Times here.

In Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District special election, members helped elect Mark Critz because of his detailed plans to create good jobs that can support a family and to put the needs of real families ahead of Wall Street interests. Although members lost a real champion with the defeat of Arlen Specter, Congressman Sestak has proven he will never back down from a worthy fight and has a record of standing with our members in Congress against powerful special interests and Pat Toomey's anti-worker agenda.

And in Oregon, SEIU Local 503 members carried Republican State Representatives Greg Smith and Bob Jenson to victory. Last year, both officials bucked their party's leadership by voting for increased taxes to protect public services and save jobs. SEIU members stood with Smith and Jenson after the state GOP chair recruited candidates to run against them in the primary. Yesterday, Smith won with 63 percent of the vote, Jenson with 52 percent. Pundits, who had predicted both would lose immediately, said it may signal a new day for moderate, pro-services Republicans in Oregon.