Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien argues the alleged snub is an ‘opportunity’ to continue showcasing the value of American workers.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced Wednesday it will not endorse a candidate for president, despite releasing internal polling showing a majority of the union’s membership supports former President Trump.
President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sean O’Brien speaks on stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ) (Getty Images)
Ahead of the announcement, the Teamsters posted the results of its own polling on the 2024 candidates. It showed that in an online survey, the union’s members favored Trump by 59.6% over Democratic nominee Vice President Harris, who received 34%. In a phone survey, Teamsters favored Trump over Harris, 58% to 31%.
Trump’s support among Teamsters has surged since Harris replaced President Biden at the top of the Democratic Party’s ticket, the data shows. The union’s polling prior to Biden dropping out showed Biden was ahead of Trump among members, 44.3% to 36.3%.
In explaining the reasoning for declining to endorse a 2024 presidential candidate on Wednesday, the union said in a statement, “The union’s extensive member polling showed no majority support for Vice President Harris and no universal support among the membership for President Trump.”
The Teamsters’ decision not to endorse a candidate is a shift from its protocol. The powerful union, which represents some 1.3 million workers in the U.S. and Canada, has endorsed the Democratic candidate for president ever since 1992. The last time the union endorsed a Republican was in 1988.
The Teamsters also becomes the only union among the nation’s top ten not to back Harris as she faces off against Trump in the race to succeed Biden.
President Joe Biden and Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris wave to the crowd during a campaign event at IBEW Local Union #5 on September 02, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The Trump campaign was quick to spotlight the vote by the Teamster rank-and-file members.
“Union Workers Support President Donald Trump” was the headline of a release from the former president’s campaign.
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And Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt argued in a statement that “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.”
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks during a campaign event at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall on September 12, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Fox News reached out to the Harris campaign for reaction, but had not received a response at the time this story posted.
O’Brien made history in July as he became the first Teamsters president to address a Republican National Convention.
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But his speech also sparked controversy, as he drew the ire of some other top Teamsters leaders and some of the rank-and-file membership. Democrats didn’t invite O’Brien to address their convention last month in Chicago.