The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has the most to lose in this election and they are pouring money into the campaigns of supporters nationwide in record quantities.

Wall Street Journal:

The 1.6 million-member AFSCME is spending a total of $87.5 million on the elections after tapping into a $16 million emergency account to help fortify the Democrats' hold on Congress. Last week, AFSCME dug deeper, taking out a $2 million loan to fund its push. The group is spending money on television advertisements, phone calls, campaign mailings and other political efforts, helped by a Supreme Court decision that loosened restrictions on campaign spending.

"We're the big dog," said Larry Scanlon, the head of AFSCME's political operations. "But we don't like to brag."

The 2010 election could be pivotal for public-sector unions, whose clout helped shield members from the worst of the economic downturn. In the 2009 stimulus and other legislation, Democratic lawmakers sent more than $160 billion in federal cash to states, aimed in large part at preventing public-sector layoffs. If Republicans running under the banner of limited government win in November, they aren't likely to support extending such aid to states.

That last point is vital. There are still more than a dozen states who need to be bailed out next year or AFSCME is going to lose a lot of members. These states have already cut teachers, health care workers, and others who deal directly with the public. Next on the chopping block - unless states get another huge cash infusion - will be the guts of the bureaucracy.

Republicans are going to have to force these states to make tough choices, just like other states that aren't in as bad shape. Is it a coincidence that most of these states in line for more federal cash are run by Democrats?

AFSCME doesn't think so.

Hat Tip: Ed Lasky