As the Nov. 4 elections draw near, the construction industry and labor unions are pouring millions of dollars into federal candidates’ campaigns. With Democrats expected to increase their Senate and House majorities and their presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), ahead in the polls, there is a shift in construction spending. Most of industry’s dollars still go to the GOP, but Democrats have gained ground. Unions are sending an even larger share of their dollars to Democrats’ campaigns than in 2004, the last presidential election year.

Reports so far this year show construction companies and associations contributed $64.2 million, compared with $72.1 million for the full 2004 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Construction unions contributed $14.2 million, already topping the $13.5 million they spent in 2004. Republicans are receiving 64% of construction spending, down from 72% in 2004. Unions so far have given 91% of their campaign dollars to Democrats, up from 88% in 2004.

In one of the largest shifts, the American Council of Engineering Companies is giving 52% of its campaign funds to Democrats, compared with 24% in 2004. Steve Hall, ACEC vice president for government affairs, says that the change of congressional leadership is one factor. He says an emphasis on infrastructure, “led by a very resurgent and friendly [Democratic] majority on those issues, made it very easy for us to put more of our financial resources in that camp.”

The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has increased the share of its dollars going to Democrats. But Pam Whitted, vice president for government affairs, says, “We try to be bipartisan in our approach.” A top NSSGA priority is transportation. “The thing about roads and highways is they aren’t R or D,” Whitted says. But, she observes, “It’s a more Democratic Congress now, so there are more Democrats to give to.”

The Associated General Contractors is sending about 24% of its campaign dollars to Democrats, up from 9% in 2004. Jeffrey Shoaf, senior executive director for government and public affairs, says AGC doesn’t have a per-party target but focuses on whether a candidate “is really going to support the construction industry.” Shoaf says AGC pushed to include public-works aid in the early 2008 economic-stimulus bill and “got a real-solid push back from Republicans who said that infrastructure isn’t stimulus.”AGC held back campaign dollars from those lawmakers.

At the National Electrical Contractors Association, the GOP leads in campaign funding, but the Democrats’ share has risen. NECA’s stance on contributions is bipartisan, says Lake Coulson, executive director for government relations. “We’re taking a very pragmatic approach to our strategies,” he says. “It’s issue-based and it’s also who’s in a position to be best helping us right now.”

At the laborers’ union, General President Terence M. O’Sullivan anticipates “hard dollar” spending will reach about $4 million by Election Day, up from $3 million in 2004. He says the union’s full campaign program, including get-out-the-vote efforts, will be about $15 million, compared with $6 million four years ago. The union supports some Republicans, but most of its dollars are going to Democrats. O’Sullivan says unions have “suffered” under the Bush administration. He believes that would continue if Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wins the White House.

The Associated Builders and Contractors continues to put nearly all of its campaign money behind GOP candidates. Chris Singerling, director of political affairs, says ABC bases spending decisions on lawmakers’ positions on key issues, such as opposing the Employee Free Choice Act. He says those who voted against that bill were Republicans.