MembershipFirst announced last week that it would not endorse candidates this year for board of director or officer posts, though several of the party's members are running for board as independents. Howard faces opposition for the presidency from three independent opponents—David Hillberg, Asmar Muhammad, and Sharon Rubin—but is considered a favorite to win re-election. Howard's running mate from 2009, Amy Aquino, is running unopposed for re-election as secretary-treasurer. Unite for Strength is the only political group to endorse a slate of candidates in Hollywood, endorsing 34 candidates for the board. The Hollywood division will seat 12 members on the national board this election and 22 alternates.
"I'm proud to be running with these candidates," Howard said in a statement released by Unite for Strength. "Two years ago, I promised members I would do everything possible to bring SAG and AFTRA together, so performers would no longer face the serious problems that come from being divided in two unions. Members have made it clear they need action as soon as possible, and I'm committed to delivering a formal merger plan by January. With an outstanding team like this leading SAG, I know it will happen."
Hollywood division president Ned Vaughn, who is seeking re-election to the national board, added, "It's time to put an end to divided work, split pension and health contributions and, above all, the dangerous vulnerability of separate contract negotiations. One union is the answer—it will make us stronger now and it's essential to protecting our future."
As revealed last week, New York division president Mike Hodge faces a challenge from within his own ranks. National board member Sam Robards and nine other actors previously aligned with Hodge's United Screen Actors Nationwide party have split to form their own group, One Strong Union. Robards is running against Hodge, while the other members of his slate are seeking posts on the national board. USAN has backed 11 candidates for the national board. This year, five national board members and nine alternates will be elected from New York.
One Strong Union has received the backing of AFTRA New York local president Holter Graham, who circulated a letter this week explaining that while his endorsement of the new group does not reflect an official position by AFTRA, he believes Robards and his running mates would be invaluable to the current merger talks between SAG and AFTRA.
"I think they kick ass on their own," Graham wrote. "Which is why I am supporting their candidacies. I know and respect them all, and cannot wait to get to work with them, to build our future."
Hodge and his USAN slate have been endorsed by Howard and Aquino.
Seven board members will also be seated this election from regional divisions outside New York and Hollywood. Six of those contests feature candidates running uncontested.
SAG will mail ballots to members on Aug. 23. All ballots must be returned by Sept. 26 in order to be counted.
2011 SAG Hollywood Division Board Election Candidates
1. D.W. Moffett
2. Mimi Cozzens
3. William Mapother
4. Tony Shalhoub
5. Assaf Cohen
6. Scott Pierce
7. Ken Howard
8. Arye Gross
9. Michael O'Neill
10. Ned Vaughn
11. Mandy Steckelberg
12. Bertila Damas
13. Reneé Aubry
14. Robert Elliott
15. Jane Daly
16. George T. Woods
17. Jon Huertas
18. Allen Lulu
19. Bob Bergen
20. Scott Bakula
21. Stephen Mendel
22. Stacey Travis
23. Amy Aquino
24. Peter Antico
25. DeWayne Williams
26. Esai Morales
27. Valerie Harper
28. Tara Radcliffe
29. Stephen Collins
30. Lisa Vidal
31. George Coe
32. Woody Schultz
33. Christine Lakin
34. John Solari
35. Adam Arkin
36. Donal Logue
37. Parvesh Cheena
38. Kate Flannery
39. John Tremaine
40. Conrad E. Palmisano
41. Michelle Allsopp
42. Vivicca A. Whitsett
43. Ellen Crawford
44. David Dorfman
45. Iqbal Theba
46. Mobin Khan
47. Sarayu Rao
48. Ron Ostrow
49. Patrick Fabian
50. Tony Santoro
51. David Hillberg
52. John Carroll Lynch
53. William Charlton
54. James Paradise
55. L. Scott Caldwell
56. David Jolliffe
57. Nicholas Stankevich
2011 SAG New York Division Board Election Candidates
1. Ezra Knight
2. Gy Mirano
3. Joe Narciso
4. Jay Potter
5. Sam Robards
6. John Rothman
7. Kevin Scullin
8. Matt Servitto
9. Manny Alfaro
10. Corey Anker
11. Dave Bachman
12. Marc Baron
13. Justin Barrett
14. Lewis Black
15. Mark Blum
16. Rebecca Damon
17. Kelly Deadmon
18. Andrew Dolan
19. Traci Godfrey
20. Jeff Gurner
21. Phoebe Jonas
2011 SAG Regional Branch Division Board Election Candidates
Boston
Bill Mootos* (elected)
Dallas
Suzanne Burkhead* (elected)
Detroit
Ed Kelly* (elected)
Houston
Robert Nelson* (elected)
Nashville
Cece DuBois* (elected)
Nevada
Art Lynch
Rick Rockne
Washington, D.C./Balt.
Stephen F. Schmidt* (elected)
