The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the nation’s largest unions, has long been a pillar of Democrat support, wielding significant influence in both labor negotiations and political campaigns. With a membership exceeding 1.4 million, the Teamsters have historically aligned with Democrat candidates, making them a key ally in the party’s electoral strategy, until this election cycle.
On Wednesday the union announced that they will not endorse a candidate for president. The executive board found “no definitive support among members for either party’s nominee.”
“Our members are the union, and their voices and opinions must be at the forefront of everything the Teamsters do,” O’Brien said before the announcement. “Our final decision around a possible Presidential endorsement will not be made lightly, but you can be sure it will be driven directly by our diverse membership.”
The lack of union support for Harris is particularly striking given the Democrats’ long-standing ties to labor unions. In January, the Teamsters held roundtable discussions with Trump, followed by talks with Biden in March. O’Brien noted that there wasn’t a significant difference between the two meetings.
In a groundbreaking moment in July, O’Brien became the first Teamsters leader to address the Republican National Convention, where he praised Trump, calling him “one tough SOB.” While the union has occasionally held back endorsements during contentious primaries, as it did in 2016, a complete lack of support for the Democrat nominee is unprecedented. In 2016, the Teamsters ultimately backed Hillary Clinton, despite some rank-and-file members supporting Trump’s populist rhetoric.
This time, however, the union seems less inclined to rally behind Harris, signaling potential trouble for Democrats in securing a key voter base. With no official endorsement and members leaning towards Trump, the Teamsters’ decision could have a profound impact on the upcoming election.
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