In a significant departure from tradition, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the most influential labor unions in the U.S., has decided not to endorse either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for the upcoming presidential election. This marks the first time since 1996 that the union, which has approximately 1.3 million members across the U.S. and Canada, has refrained from backing a presidential candidate.
The Teamsters cited a lack of “few commitments on top Teamsters issues” from both candidates as a primary reason for their decision. While internal polling indicated no definitive support for either candidate, recent surveys showed a notable preference among members for Trump.
The absence of an endorsement could have serious implications for the Harris campaign, which has been actively seeking to engage working-class voters in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. A Teamsters endorsement could have mobilized thousands of union members to vote in these crucial areas.
In a twist, shortly after the announcement, some regional councils of the Teamsters, representing over half a million members in states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and California, declared their support for Harris. The Harris campaign pointed to its backing from “the overwhelming majority of organized labor” as it continues to rally support.
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien has made efforts to engage with both sides of the political spectrum since taking office in 2022. His outreach includes meetings with populist Republican figures, as well as Trump himself at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year. However, O’Brien’s rightward shift has drawn criticism from some union members.
During a recent meeting with the Teamsters board, Harris expressed confidence in winning the endorsement but acknowledged that she would treat them the same regardless of the outcome. Following the sit-down, O’Brien noted there was little distinction between Harris’s responses and those of her predecessor, President Biden, who has claimed to be “the most pro-labor president ever.”
Despite Biden’s administration’s favorable policies for unions, the Teamsters’ leadership had indicated earlier this year that they might not endorse him for reelection. Polling released by the union revealed that 59.6% of rank-and-file Teamsters favored endorsing Trump compared to 34% for Harris, although the union ultimately stated that there was no majority support for either candidate.
The Trump campaign quickly seized on this polling data, asserting that while the Teamsters Executive Board did not make a formal endorsement, the sentiments of its hardworking members were clear—they want Trump back in the White House.
