Teamsters Withhold Endorsements for Trump and Harris in US Presidential Race, Reports Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced on Wednesday that it will not endorse any U.S. presidential candidate for the upcoming election, despite a recent poll indicating that a majority of its members favored Republican candidate Donald Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris.

The Teamsters, representing 1.3 million workers across various sectors including trucking, airline piloting, and animal care, conducted a national electronic poll which revealed that 59.6% of its members preferred Trump, while 34% supported Harris.

Historically, the Teamsters have endorsed Democratic candidates for president since 2000, though they have occasionally supported Republicans, including Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George H.W. Bush in 1988. This marks the first time since 1996 that the union will refrain from endorsing a candidate.

While many major unions have backed Harris, such as the United Auto Workers and the AFL-CIO, which represents a vast network of unions and workers, the Teamsters’ decision was significant, particularly in key battleground states like Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, where union membership plays a crucial role.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien explained the decision by stating, "We couldn’t get solid commitments on our core issues. No endorsement sends a message to both parties that if they truly want to support working people, they need to re-evaluate their positions and understand that support is earned, not given."

Harris’ campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt pointed out that despite the national decision, some local Teamsters chapters have endorsed Harris, asserting that she will advocate for Teamsters members if elected.

Trump commented on the Teamsters’ non-endorsement, saying, "It’s a great honor. They’re not going to endorse the Democrats. That’s a big thing."

A subsequent poll by independent firm Lake Research Partners, conducted after the September 10 presidential debate, showed that 58% of Teamsters members supported Trump for endorsement over 31% for Harris.

O’Brien and other union representatives have met with both Harris and Trump, engaging with Harris just recently after meeting with Trump in January.

The Teamsters’ own polling prior to President Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21 indicated that members had favored Biden with 44.3%, compared to Trump’s 36.3%. O’Brien had spoken at the Republican National Convention in July, although he also criticized Trump for suggesting that striking workers could face termination.