For the first time since 1996, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the most influential labor unions in the U.S., has chosen not to endorse a presidential candidate. Representing around 1.3 million members across the U.S. and Canada, the union stated that neither Democratic nominee Kamala Harris nor Republican nominee Donald Trump had made sufficient commitments to key issues affecting Teamsters. Additionally, internal polling found "no definitive support" for either candidate, though Trump had garnered more backing in two recent polls.
This decision poses a setback to Harris's campaign as it works to attract working-class voters just under 50 days before the election. A Teamsters endorsement could have energized thousands of voters in critical battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Despite this, several regional councils representing over half a million members in Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and California declared their support for Harris
In response, Harris’s campaign highlighted its broad backing from organized labor, with spokesperson Lauren Hitt emphasizing Harris’s long-standing solidarity with unions. She contrasted this with Trump’s stance, referencing his comments about firing striking workers. The Teamsters, whose members include freight drivers, warehouse workers, and airline pilots, are known for their political diversity.
Under General President Sean O'Brien, who assumed leadership in 2022, the union has been extending outreach to Republicans, including figures like Senators Josh Hawley and JD Vance, Trump's running mate. O’Brien even met privately with Trump in January at Mar-a-Lago, after which Trump expressed optimism about winning the union's endorsement. Despite a cordial relationship, O'Brien has also criticized Trump for his anti-union rhetoric.
Notably, the union contributed financially to both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions earlier this year, a rare move, and O’Brien became the first Teamsters leader to address the Republican National Convention. Though he praised Trump at the event, he withheld an endorsement, later rebuking Trump and Elon Musk for their remarks about firing striking workers.
Some Teamsters have been unhappy with O’Brien’s outreach to the right, with several locals and the National Black Caucus breaking ranks to endorse Harris. Harris recently met with the Teamsters board, in a meeting described by some reports as tense, although a union spokesperson disputed that characterization. Harris sought their endorsement but assured them that, regardless of their decision, she would continue to stand with them
O'Brien acknowledged little difference between Harris's positions and those of her predecessor, President Joe Biden, who had gained favor with unions for his pro-labor policies. Last year, Biden made history as the first sitting president to join a picket line and his administration secured the Teamsters' pension fund. Nonetheless, reports suggest the union was hesitant to endorse Biden before he withdrew from the race in July.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to the Teamsters as the largest U.S. union, rather than the fourth largest.
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