Lafer, GordonKaya, Selin2024-08-302024https://hdl.handle.net/1794/3005127 pagesThis thesis examines the dramatic political transformation of Southern California in the 1970s to 2000s, shifting from a Republican stronghold to Democratic through a series of voter mobilization efforts specifically towards immigrant Latino communities, held by local labor unions. It explores successful labor movements of the time, such as the Justice for Janitors movement, the effect of union membership and social institutions, and the efforts to organize a large group of unorganized workers. Through strategic campaigns and community mobilization, these workers achieved significant workplace improvements, which energized their communities to vote, leading to a dramatic political realignment. By analyzing the methods used by unions in Southern California, this paper explores the potential for a similar shift in Texas, a traditionally Republican state, by mobilizing its large Latino workforce. The study addresses the impact of union activities on voter participation and the prospects of replicating Southern California's success in Texas to influence national politics.en-USCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Laborlabor movementunionslos angeles uniontexas laborThesis/Dissertation0009-0003-8181-200X