Opinion ID: 163283
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Political campaigns

Text: Next, all four Plaintiffs contend that their work on union-supported political campaigns was a matter of public concern. Again, Plaintiffs decline to offer specifics or direct us to any in the record. But even assuming that their purported political speech was a matter of public concern, it cannot form the basis of their speech claims, because Plaintiffs have pointed to nothing in the record indicating that their political activity was a “motivating factor” behind any alleged adverse action. Butler, 172 F.3d at 746 (a plaintiff must show that his “protected speech was a motivating factor” behind the challenged decision). Indeed, the record refutes any such notion. Each Plaintiff testified that no one from the Department ever told him that he could not participate in political campaigns, or told him that he must support or oppose a particular candidate or position. Major Weaver admitted that he was unaware of any adverse job action taken in response to his participation in union-endorsed campaigns. All Major Lunow could offer is that he “just know[s]” that he has suffered retaliation for his political activity, but he could not explain how. Aplts’ App. at 506. This is -8- plainly insufficient to overcome Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Once “a properly supported motion for summary judgment is made, the adverse party must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. at 250 (internal quotation marks omitted; emphasis added).