- Teamsters union declines to endorse Harris or Trump in presidential race
- Union represents around 1.3 million people (US and Canada)
- “Few commitments on key Teamsters issues” from either candidate
- But survey indicates significant lean towards Trump, major blow for Harris
Teamsters union declines to endorse Harris or Trump in presidential race
For the first time since 1996, the powerful International Brotherhood of Teamsters has chosen not to endorse a candidate in the US presidential race. The union, representing about 1.3 million members across the US and Canada, announced it received “few commitments on key Teamsters issues” from either Democratic nominee Kamala Harris or Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Despite polling its members, the union said there was “no definitive support” for either candidate, although recent surveys indicated a significant lean toward Trump. This decision is seen as a setback for the Harris campaign, which has been trying to secure working-class voters in the final weeks before the election.
The Teamsters’ endorsement could have been pivotal in mobilising voters in crucial swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. However, regional councils within the union, representing over half a million members in Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, and California, have signalled they will back Harris.