For the first time since 1996, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the most prominent labor unions in the United States, has declined to endorse a presidential candidate. Representing around 1.3 million members across the U.S. and Canada, the union stated it had received “few commitments on top Teamsters issues” from both Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump. This lack of endorsement is a notable departure from the union’s longstanding history of political support.
Despite recent polling among its membership, which suggested a significant lean toward Trump, the union leadership found “no definitive support” for either candidate. This decision comes less than 50 days before the election, dealing a potential blow to Harris’s campaign as she seeks to win over working-class voters in crucial swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Impact on Campaigns
An endorsement from the Teamsters could have mobilized thousands of union members in these battleground states. However, soon after the union’s neutral stance was announced, some regional councils, representing over half a million members in key states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and California, declared their individual support for Harris.
In response to the union’s decision, Harris’s campaign emphasized her longstanding commitment to labor. “Vice President Harris has literally walked the picket line and stood strong with organized labor throughout her career,” campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said. The Harris team also highlighted that a majority of organized labor groups have rallied behind her candidacy.
On the other hand, the Trump campaign quickly capitalized on the union’s internal polling, with campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “The hardworking members of the Teamsters have been loud and clear—they want President Trump back in the White House.” Trump himself has attempted to position himself as a strong candidate for labor, despite his controversial comments about firing striking workers.
Union Leadership’s Approach
The union’s political diversity reflects the challenges faced by its leadership. Sean O’Brien, the General President of the Teamsters, has actively engaged with both sides of the political spectrum since taking office in 2022. He has forged ties with populist Republican figures such as Senators Josh Hawley and JD Vance, the latter of whom is Trump’s running mate. In January, O’Brien met privately with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and later hosted the former president at a roundtable with the union’s board in Washington, D.C.
Trump emerged from these meetings confident that he had a “good shot” at the Teamsters’ endorsement. However, the union also met with Democratic contenders, including President Joe Biden, before he withdrew from the race, as well as third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West.
In February, the union raised eyebrows by making its first bipartisan political donation in years, contributing $45,000 each to both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. O’Brien became the first Teamsters leader to address the Republican National Convention (RNC), delivering a prime-time speech at the event in Milwaukee. While he praised Trump as “one tough SOB,” he stopped short of giving a formal endorsement.
O’Brien’s outreach to Republicans, including his appearance at the RNC, has stirred tensions within the union. Many rank-and-file members have expressed dissatisfaction with his efforts to engage with the GOP. In defiance of national leadership, the Teamsters National Black Caucus and six union locals recently endorsed Harris and urged their members to support her.
Harris’s Meeting with Teamsters
Earlier this week, Harris met with the Teamsters’ executive board in a long-delayed roundtable. Reports characterized the meeting as “sometimes tense,” but a union spokesperson denied this description. Harris expressed confidence in her campaign, telling union leaders, “I’m confident I’m going to win this. I want your endorsement, but if I don’t get it, I will treat you exactly as if I had gotten it.”
O’Brien noted that there was little difference between Harris’s responses and those of her predecessor, President Biden, who has frequently touted his pro-labor stance. Under Biden’s leadership, the Teamsters’ pension fund received a $36 billion boost, which helped prevent pension cuts for over 600,000 members. He also made history as the first sitting U.S. president to walk a picket line, standing in solidarity with striking autoworkers in Michigan.
While O’Brien has acknowledged Biden’s strong record on labor issues, reports suggested that the Teamsters were hesitant to endorse his re-election bid before he withdrew from the race.
Polling Data Reflects Split Membership
In the days leading up to the union’s announcement, the Teamsters released polling data from its members. A post-RNC electronic poll showed that 59.6% of respondents favored endorsing Trump, while only 34% supported Harris. A more recent poll indicated similar results, with 58% of Teamsters backing Trump compared to 31% for Harris. Despite these numbers, the union’s leadership cited “no universal support” for either candidate.
As both campaigns race toward the election, the Teamsters’ decision not to endorse either candidate underscores the growing political divisions within labor unions and the challenges faced by both Harris and Trump in winning over the working class.