Las Vegas Casino Union Hails Democratic Gains Amid Tourism ‘Trump Slump’
The Las Vegas Culinary Union, an affiliate of UNITE HERE and the world’s largest gaming and hospitality union, is optimistic that tourism will rebound in Southern Nevada following strong Democratic gains in the 2026 midterm elections. The Culinary Union campaigned for federal and state Democrats du…
The Las Vegas Culinary Union, an affiliate of UNITE HERE and the world’s largest gaming and hospitality union, is optimistic that tourism will rebound in Southern Nevada following strong Democratic gains in the 2026 midterm elections. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus and Nevada Gov.-elect Aaron Ford, along with other government officials and local leaders, rally with the Culinary Union on Election Day in Las Vegas at the union’s headquarters. The largest casino workers union in the country is optimistic a Democratic-controlled Congress and Nevada governor’s office will return tourism to the U.S. and Las Vegas. (Image: Culinary Workers Union Local 226) The Culinary Union campaigned for federal and state Democrats during the 2026 campaign—no surprise, as the Las Vegas union has never endorsed a Republican for president, governor, or even Congress. The 2026 cycle went the union’s way, with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) defeating Republican incumbent Gov. Joe Lombardo, U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV1), Susie Lee (D-NV3), and Steven Horsford (D-NV4) all winning reelection, and Rep.-elect Teresa Benitez-Thompson turning Nevada’s 4th District blue for the first time in history. Come January, Congress will be controlled by Democrats, and that has Culinary leaders excited for the possibility of ending the so-called “Trump Slump.” Culinary Looks Ahead The Culinary Union has blamed President Donald Trump and Lombardo for Las Vegas’ tourism woes. Visitor volume to Las Vegas was down 7.5% in 2025 and is flat in 2026 through September. Union leaders cite Trump’s policies for keeping visitors away, pointing to mass deportations and economic headwinds like higher gas and grocery prices. This country is off track, and Culinary Union members know it firsthand. The Trump Slump has impacted the hours and paychecks of hospitality workers while gas, groceries, rent, power bills, and especially healthcare keep rising,” said Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge. Culinary said Nevadans voted “for a real course correction” and that the union was “proud” to help elect Democrats on the federal, state, and local level. With Congress soon able to check the president and Ford an ally of union workers, Culinary is eager about the future. Aaron Ford will be a governor for the people. He will be united with workers when it gets tough, whether we’re on strike or fighting the boss, and he will stand up to corporate greed, price gouging, and the for-profit healthcare corporations driving up costs,” Pappageorge said. Culinary has scolded Lombardo for refusing to back the union in its ongoing quest to organize Station Casinos properties, including Red Rock Casino. Two of Their Own The Nov. 3 election saw two Culinary Union members win state elections. Assemblymember Linda Hunt (D-D17) won reelection, and Assemblymember-elect Joe Spica (D) ousted Republican Rebecca Edgeworth in the 35th District. Hunt is a former food server at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. Spica works as a bellman at the Cosmopolitan. The post Las Vegas Casino Union Hails Democratic Gains Amid Tourism ‘Trump Slump’ appeared first on Casino.org.