Organized labor is protesting the House Democratic caucus’ decision to hire Wichita political strategist Levi Henry as their new political director going into the 2024 elections.
The Tri-County Labor Council of Eastern Kansas, which serves as an umbrella organization for various labor unions such as firefighters, roofers, pipe fitters and laborers, says it is reluctant to financially support the House Democrats because of Henry’s hiring.
The Tri-County Labor Council, which represents union workers primarily in Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties, expressed its disappointment about the decision to hire Henry in a letter sent early last month to House Minority Vic Miller of Topeka.
The decision “reflects a profound disconnect with the realities faced by working-class Kansans and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the importance of labor issues within the Democratic Party,” labor council president Mike Kane wrote.
The letter suggested that labor is disinclined to support the House Democrats as they set out to break the Republican supermajority in the Legislature later this year.
“We must inform you that our members have expressed their desire to no longer financially support the caucus in light of this decision,” Kane wrote.
“We believe it is imperative for Democratic leadership to reconsider this appointment and choose a candidate who is more in tune with the needs and values of the working class.”
Another letter from the Construction and General Laborers Local Union 1290 expressed a similar view. The letter was signed by Kane and business manager Jeffery Philgreen.
“You have now crossed us on very serious issues that we are most concerned about,” the letter from the laborers local said.
“Since you have decided to go in a different direction, so will Local 1290.”
Neither letter spelled out specifically how Henry was not in sync with labor.
And in an interview, Kane declined to be more specific than what the letter outlined other than to say Henry had a “questionable history” with labor.
A spokesperson for the House minority leader said the caucus wouldn’t discuss internal campaign strategy or activities with the media.
“Regardless of strategic direction, we stand behind the causes, policies, and positions of our brothers and sisters in the labor movement,” Alexis Simmons said.
“Our shared vision for the future of Kansas workers underpins the work we do, always.”
Henry declined to comment in a text message.
Kane questioned why Miller didn’t seek proposals for the political consulting work.
“There’s a whole bunch of people who do that exact same thing,” Kane said.
“Why wouldn’t he put out an RFP or something like that to see who else would want to respond and see if you could get it done for a better price?” he said.
“It just seems self-serving he did it that way,” he said.
The House Democratic caucus raised nearly $208,500 in 2023, had nearly $200,000 in cash on hand as of Dec. 31.
The Republican House caucus, meanwhile, ended 2023 with $578,000 in cash on hand after raising about $666,000 last year.
In announcing Henry’s hiring in February, Miller spoke glowingly of the new consultant for the House Democratic caucus.
“I have known Levi for almost 20 years. He is experienced, clever and laser-focused on seeing us to 42+ seats,” Miller wrote.
Henry is the founder of the Ad Astra Agency, a political consulting firm in Wichita. He worked for the House Democrats during the 2022 election cycle.
At one point, Henry worked as a lobbyist for the Sandstone Group, a
In 2008, Henry worked as the special projects director for Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley.
He has a bachelor’s in political science from Kansas State and a law degree from Washburn University.
