Teamsters Union declines to endorse Trump or Harris in presidential race

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced on Wednesday that it will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, despite a recent poll indicating strong support for Republican candidate Donald Trump among its members. The poll revealed that 59.6% of the union’s 1.3 million members favored Trump over Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, who garnered just 34%.

Historically, the Teamsters have endorsed Democratic candidates since 2000 but have occasionally backed Republicans, such as Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George H.W. Bush in 1988. This marks the first time since 1996 that the union has opted not to make an endorsement.

While many major unions, including the United Auto Workers and the AFL-CIO, have endorsed Harris, the Teamsters’ decision holds significant weight in battleground states like Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, where union membership is prominent. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien explained the union’s stance, stating, “We couldn’t get solid commitments on our core issues.” He added that the absence of an endorsement signals to both parties that support for working people must be earned, not assumed.

Despite the national union’s decision, some local Teamsters chapters have chosen to endorse Harris. Her campaign spokeswoman, Lauren Hitt, emphasized that Harris will advocate for Teamsters members regardless of the national decision, asserting, “They always have been and always will be the people she fights for.”

In a statement following the Teamsters’ announcement, Trump expressed his approval, saying, “It’s a great honor. They’re not going to endorse the Democrats. That’s a big thing.”

Subsequent polling conducted by Lake Research Partners after the recent presidential debate showed Trump receiving 58% support among Teamsters members, compared to 31% for Harris. Prior to President Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21, Teamsters polling had indicated 44.3% support for Biden against Trump’s 36.3%.

O’Brien addressed the Republican National Convention in July but also criticized Trump’s comments suggesting that striking workers could be fired.