Labor union members and leaders played a prominent role in the Democratic National Convention last week, with the Harris-Walz campaign making a concerted effort to court their support. Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers union, electrified the crowd with a fiery speech denouncing Trump and praising Harris as a champion for the working class. The campaign’s tech-savvy approach to amplifying labor’s message through social media and merchandise sales highlighted their strategic focus on appealing to blue-collar voters in key battleground states.
The union vote is considered crucial in the upcoming election, with the Harris-Walz campaign recognizing the impact of blue-collar voters in key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. A memo from the campaign manager emphasized the importance of union members in these battleground states and highlighted the narrow margins that decided the election in 2016. The campaign made extensive efforts to include and celebrate labor at the convention, using union hotels, labor for physical work, and emphasizing union support in various ceremonies.
The relationships between the Democratic campaign and labor leaders have been tested by Trump’s efforts to woo union members away from their traditional Democratic support. The Harris campaign responded strongly to Teamsters president Sean O’Brien’s praise of Trump at the Republican convention, filing a complaint against Trump and Musk for unfair labor practices. The campaign strategically sought to undermine O’Brien’s support for Trump by freezing him out of opportunities to engage with the Democrats, but they also signaled a willingness to mend fences for a potential alliance.
Harris faces a challenge in appealing to union support, particularly in comparison to President Biden, who has strong ties to labor from his Scranton roots. The campaign has sought to emphasize Harris’ pro-union record and personal connections to the working class in an effort to win over blue-collar voters. Harris’ selection of running mate Tim Walz, a former teacher and card-carrying union member, was seen as a strategic move to further bolster their appeal to the working class.
The Harris-Walz campaign is focused on addressing economic concerns that resonate with the working class, emphasizing issues like inflation, multiple job holding, and the impact on family structures. The campaign is working to craft a message that appeals to the union vote while countering Trump’s economic appeals on immigration and trade. The careful balancing act of appealing to blue-collar voters while maintaining progressive policies is crucial for the campaign’s success in winning over key demographics in the upcoming election.
