JUST IN: Kamala Becomes First Democrat Snubbed By Loyal Union In Decades

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the nation’s largest unions, has long been a pillar of Democrat support, wielding significant influence in both labor negotiations and political campaigns. With a membership exceeding 1.4 million, the Teamsters have historically aligned with Democrat candidates, making them a key ally in the party’s electoral strategy, until this election cycle.

On Wednesday the union announced that they will not endorse a candidate for president. The executive board found “no definitive support among members for either party’s nominee.”

“Our members are the union, and their voices and opinions must be at the forefront of everything the Teamsters do,” O’Brien said before the announcement. “Our final decision around a possible Presidential endorsement will not be made lightly, but you can be sure it will be driven directly by our diverse membership.”

Teamsters announce: NO ENDORSEMENT for president.

Executive board found "no definitive support among members for either party’s nominee."

— Dave Jamieson (@jamieson) September 18, 2024

“We’ve done some research-based polling that we will be presenting to the general executive board, all three of those polling models, on Wednesday. And then we’ll deliberate, and a decision will be made then,” O’Brien said on Monday, according to The Hill. By Wednesday, the decision was clear—no endorsement for president. “We don’t just represent registered Democrats, we represent registered Republicans and independents, so we have to take [that] into consideration,” O’Brien continued.

The Teamsters Union, founded in 1903, has historically played a major role in labor movements and political advocacy. Initially representing horse team drivers and warehouse workers, today the union includes workers from freight, healthcare, and public sectors. Over the years, their political endorsements have been a powerful signal of where labor support lies, often swaying elections in favor of Democrat candidates. In 2020, for example, the union endorsed Joe Biden, helping him secure support among working-class voters. However, this year, their polling paints a different picture.

Survey data released by the union on Wednesday shows a clear preference for former President Donald Trump among its members, a stark contrast to Vice President Kamala Harris. According to the electronic poll, nearly 60 percent of Teamsters favored Trump, while only 34 percent backed Harris. A phone survey yielded similar results, with Trump receiving 58 percent support compared to Harris’s 31 percent.

The lack of union support for Harris is particularly striking given the Democrats’ long-standing ties to labor unions. In January, the Teamsters held roundtable discussions with Trump, followed by talks with Biden in March. O’Brien noted that there wasn’t a significant difference between the two meetings.

In a groundbreaking moment in July, O’Brien became the first Teamsters leader to address the Republican National Convention, where he praised Trump, calling him “one tough SOB.” While the union has occasionally held back endorsements during contentious primaries, as it did in 2016, a complete lack of support for the Democrat nominee is unprecedented. In 2016, the Teamsters ultimately backed Hillary Clinton, despite some rank-and-file members supporting Trump’s populist rhetoric.

This time, however, the union seems less inclined to rally behind Harris, signaling potential trouble for Democrats in securing a key voter base. With no official endorsement and members leaning towards Trump, the Teamsters’ decision could have a profound impact on the upcoming election.

(VOTE: Are You Supporting TRUMP Or KAMALA In November?)