WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Teamsters union is making waves in the presidential election by choosing not to endorse a candidate.
Although both Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump met with the union, Teamsters president Sean O’Brien announced on Wednesday that neither had made a convincing enough case.
“It’s a position that we took because both candidates didn’t commit to the core issues that we need to get accomplished,” O’Brien said.
This is the first time in nearly 30 years that the Teamsters aren’t endorsing a presidential candidate.
Former President Trump is claiming victory anyways, because of a poll that Teamsters released showing in a September poll of their members 58% supported Trump compared to 31% supporting Harris.
“I was honored to receive the endorsement of the rank-and-file membership of the Teamsters. I love the Teamsters,” Trump said.
RNC Strategic Communications Director Tommy Pigott argues that support is because Trump has a better agenda or workers.
“He’s going to make us energy dominant. He’s going to make sure we lower taxes for working Americans, and he’s going to make sure the American workers comes first when it comes to our trade policy,” Pigott said.
Many local Teamsters unions are breaking with their National Parent Union to throw their support behind the Harris campaign.
One of those is the Michigan Teamsters Local 299, where Kevin Moore is president.
“Kamala Harris has got the same vision as we do here in Michigan. She’s a fighter for working class people,” Moore said.
He says VP Harris has a proven record of delivering for unions, like when she cast the deciding vote in favor of a law to rescue pensions for millions of retirees.
“Their retirement is not an entitlement. It was 40 and 50 years of hard work. And she made sure that was safeguarded,” Moore said.
Other major unions have also endorsed Harris, including the United Auto Workers and the American Federation of Teachers.
AFT President Randi Weingarten says even more important than endorsements is what happens on Election Day.
“You’re going to see the overwhelming number of union members vote for Harris and Walz,” Weingarten said.
