Several Democrats responded to news that the Teamsters, under General President Sean O’Brien, decided against endorsing a presidential candidate. O’Brien stated that neither major candidate had made commitments to prioritize the interests of working people over big business. Rep. Jim McGovern criticized former President Donald Trump as the most anti-labor president, stating that Trump prioritized rich people over the working class. This decision marked the first non-endorsement by the Teamsters since 1996 and their last GOP endorsement went to former President George H.W. Bush in 1988.
Rep. Steven Horsford shared that Nevada’s Teamsters councils independently endorsed Kamala Harris, with Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto echoing that Harris is a fighter for union workers. Rep. Nancy Pelosi expressed disappointment in the Teamsters’ decision, highlighting the work Biden-Harris and Democrats had done to save Teamsters pensions. Trump, on the other hand, saw the non-endorsement of Harris as a great honor and pointed out that about 60% of the national membership supported his bid.
Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal called the non-endorsement unfortunate, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused national leader O’Brien of boosting Republicans and supporting anti-worker candidates. O’Brien had reportedly reached out to Republican lawmakers like Sens. Josh Hawley and JD Vance, while the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation union recently gave their endorsement to conservatives. However, the Teamsters did endorse U.S. Senate candidates Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Ruben Gallego.
A spokesman for Harris’ campaign highlighted her strong union record and support for striking workers compared to Trump’s belief that striking workers should be fired. Despite O’Brien’s non-endorsement, a council representing 35,000 Teamsters in Pennsylvania threw their support behind Harris, stating that she was the best choice for their locals and unions. O’Brien has also had confrontations with Republicans in the past, such as a heated exchange with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, during which tensions escalated and Sen. Bernie Sanders had to intervene.
Overall, the decision by the Teamsters to not endorse a presidential candidate has led to mixed reactions from Democrats and Republicans. While some Democratic lawmakers like McGovern and Pelosi criticized Trump and supported Harris, others like Ocasio-Cortez and Jayapal expressed disappointment in O’Brien’s actions. The support for Harris among Teamsters councils in various states reflects the divide within the union and the broader political landscape. This decision could have implications for the upcoming presidential election and the future of labor relations in the United States.
