DALLAS — As voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, the American Federation of Government Employees is backing the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III in the race to represent Texas’ 30th Congressional District in the U.S. House.
The union, which represents more than 820,000 federal and District of Columbia government workers nationwide, announced its endorsement Oct. 28, citing Haynes’ record of community advocacy and support for working families.
Haynes, the Democratic nominee and longtime senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, faces Republican Everett Jackson in the general election.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley said the organization believes Haynes would support federal employees and advocate for workplace protections.
“Federal employees are on the front lines of delivering the services Americans count on, and they need allies in Congress who will defend their rights on the job. Rev. Haynes is that kind of leader,” Kelley said.
Haynes has led Friendship-West Baptist Church for more than four decades, growing the congregation from fewer than 100 members to more than 13,000, according to the union.
His community advocacy has included efforts to combat predatory lending practices, expand educational opportunities and promote economic development in underserved communities.
Haynes’ congressional campaign has emphasized affordable health care, housing, child care and wage growth, along with policies aimed at addressing economic inequality.
AFGE District 10 National Vice President Cheryl Eliano said the union’s endorsement reflects its priorities of protecting collective bargaining rights and maintaining federal employment protections.
“Federal workers in Texas care for veterans, support our military and serve their communities every day,” Eliano said. “They deserve a representative who respects their work and defends their rights on the job.”
Jackson, a small-business owner and community organizer, has campaigned on job creation, national security, religious freedom and reducing federal spending. His platform also calls for increasing the child tax credit and making federal spending cuts associated with the Department of Government Efficiency permanent.
The candidates are competing for the seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who chose not to seek reelection to pursue a U.S. Senate bid. Crockett lost the Democratic Senate primary to state Rep. James Talarico in March.
Haynes secured the Democratic nomination in March, defeating former state Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway and Rodney LaBruce. Jackson won the Republican nomination following a May runoff against Sholdon Daniels.
The 30th Congressional District, which includes portions of Dallas, DeSoto, Arlington and surrounding communities, has historically been a Democratic stronghold. Its boundaries were redrawn in 2025 as part of Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting.
AFGE estimates that approximately 250,000 federal employees live in Texas, working in areas including veterans services, national defense and Social Security administration.
The union has also endorsed Talarico and several other Texas congressional candidates.
Tuesday’s election will determine who represents the redrawn district in Congress beginning in January 2027.
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