The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union representing 1.3 million workers in the U.S. and Canada, made headlines by announcing their decision not to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential election. This move is a departure from their tradition of endorsing Democratic candidates since 1992, with the last Republican endorsement dating back to 1988.
The decision came after internal polling revealed that a majority of Teamsters members support former President Trump over Democratic nominee Vice President Harris. The polling showed that Trump's popularity among Teamsters has surged, with 59.6% favoring him over Harris in an online survey and 58% in a phone survey.
Prior to President Biden dropping out of the race, the union's polling indicated that Biden was ahead of Trump among members. However, with Harris as the Democratic nominee, the support for Trump increased significantly.
In a statement explaining their decision, the union cited the lack of majority support for Harris and the absence of universal backing for Trump among their membership. This stance sets the Teamsters apart as the only union among the nation's top ten not endorsing Harris in the upcoming election.
The Trump campaign seized on the news, highlighting the support from Teamsters members for the former president. They emphasized that the hardworking men and women of the union are vocal about wanting Trump back in the White House, citing him as a strong advocate for their interests.
Notably, Teamsters President O'Brien made history by addressing the Republican National Convention in July, a move that stirred controversy within the union. Some top leaders and rank-and-file members expressed disapproval, while Democrats did not extend an invitation for O'Brien to speak at their convention in Chicago.
