On Wednesday, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced that it will not endorse any candidate for president, despite internal polling indicating that a majority of the union’s membership supports former President Trump.
Prior to the announcement, the Teamsters disclosed results from their own polling on the 2024 presidential candidates. According to an online survey, 59.6% of the union’s members favored Trump, compared to 34% who supported Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. A phone survey revealed a similar trend, with 58% supporting Trump over 31% for Harris.
The data shows that Trump’s support among Teamsters has increased following Harris replacing President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Previous polling conducted before Biden’s withdrawal indicated that members preferred Biden over Trump, 44.3% to 36.3%.
The union’s statement on Wednesday clarified their position, saying, “The union’s extensive member polling showed no majority support for Vice President Harris and no universal support among the membership for President Trump.”
This decision marks a departure from the union’s historical pattern of endorsing Democratic candidates for president, a practice they have upheld since 1992. The last Republican candidate they endorsed was in 1988. Currently, the Teamsters stand out as the only one among the nation’s top 10 unions not to endorse Harris in her race against Trump.
The Trump campaign quickly highlighted the union members’ voting preferences, with a campaign release titled “Union Workers Support President Donald Trump.” Trump’s national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated, “The hardworking members of the Teamsters have been loud and clear — they want President Trump back in the White House! These hardworking men and women are the backbone of America, and President Trump will strongly stand up for them when he’s back in the White House.”
Conversely, the Harris campaign responded by emphasizing her longstanding support for organized labor. Campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt explained, “While Donald Trump says striking workers should be fired, Vice President Harris has literally walked the picket line and stood strong with organized labor for her entire career. The Vice President’s strong union record is why Teamsters locals across the country have already endorsed her — alongside the overwhelming majority of organized labor.”
President Sean O’Brien, who made history in July as the first Teamsters president to address a Republican National Convention, has faced internal controversy due to his speech. His address was not well received by some top Teamsters leaders and some rank-and-file members. O’Brien was not invited by Democrats to speak at their recent convention in Chicago.