WATCH: Randy Bryce explains the importance of labor unions for America's middle class The man known as the "Iron 'Stache" gives Salon the history of his union, and why membership is so important

The Democratic challenger to House Speaker Paul Ryan is making a name for himself but wants the United States to know that labor unions are still important to the health of the economy.

"Often there are non-union workers on the same job site as union workers," Randy Bryce told Salon. "Which everybody benefits from."

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A labor leader, Bryce says he wants to bring the Midwest to Washington and is going after the top House Republican in that spirit. Bryce exploded on the national spotlight with a powerful two-minute ad directly challenging Ryan. Bryce said he's in the "Buy America" camp, and believes that Trump — with his anti-NAFTA and anti TPP stance — is following in his footsteps.

Bryce also gave Salon a history of the Iron Workers Union and how it was founded.