By a vote of 14-3 the board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters voted for “no endorsement” in this year’s presidential election.
“The Teamsters are more conservative than other unions,” Teamsters vice president at-large Gregory Floyd told Politico. “We’re to the left of the building trades and to the right of everyone else,” Floyd told POLITICO.
Internal polling commissioned by the Teamsters showed Former President Donald Trump receiving nearly 60% support among members compared to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 34%.
This is the first time since 1996 that the union has refused to endorse a candidate for President. The last Republican to receive their endorsement was George HW Bush in 1988.
In the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, the Teamsters represent roughly 1.3 million workers across a broad range of industries. At only 4.4% of the workforce, Georgia ranks eighth lowest for total unionized labor.
Trump praised the Union’s refusal to endorse Harris, calling it an honor during a NYC campaign event.“They’re not going to endorse the Democrats. That’s a big thing.”
Trump has targeted working class voters as part of his coalition, garnering upwards of 70% support among voters with a household income of less than $50,000. Polls show Trump currently has the highest working class support among the Republicans in 40 years.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called the Teamsters’ decision “confusing” and lambasted O’Brien for the decision.
“It’s clear that these workers are misinformed or uninformed about Trump’s record on labor,” said Representative James McGovern (D-MA).
The Trump campaign replied with plans to lower energy costs and tame inflation, which has soared under the current administration.“President Trump fights for America’s working men and women,” the Trump campaign said in a statement. “President Trump’s agenda will bring tax relief and reverse the inflation that hurts working families the most.”
