Kamala Harris hits the panic button after losing out on this key endorsement

kamala harris

Harris and her campaign are starting to worry. The polls are extremely close and they can’t afford any slipups moving forward.

But now Kamala Harris has hit the panic button after losing out on this key endorsement.

A recent internal poll reveals that members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters overwhelmingly support former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, favoring Trump by nearly 2-to-1.

The survey, released by the union, found that 58% of members back Trump, while 31% support Harris. However, despite the clear preference among its members, the union leadership has opted not to endorse any candidate in the upcoming election, citing a lack of “serious commitments” from either side.

“For the past year, the Teamsters union has pledged to conduct the most inclusive, democratic, and transparent presidential endorsement process in the history of our 121-year-old organization — and today we are delivering on that promise to our members,” said Teamsters President Sean O’Brien in a statement.

He emphasized that the union’s approach centers around giving its members a voice, stating, “Our members are the union, and their voices and opinions must be at the forefront of everything the Teamsters do.”

Despite this, the union announced that it will withhold an endorsement, a decision that follows a meeting between O’Brien and Harris in Washington, D.C., just two days prior.

O’Brien has made headlines this election cycle for his political maneuvering, including speaking at the Republican National Convention, which caught the attention of political insiders.

Historically, the Teamsters have thrown their weight behind Democratic candidates, having endorsed every Democratic presidential nominee since 2000, with a few notable exceptions in the past. The nonendorsement, therefore, could be seen as a boost for Trump, who enjoys strong support among a demographic within the union that is largely male and noncollege educated.

The Trump campaign was quick to seize on the poll results, stating, “The vast majority of rank-and-file working men and women in this important organization want President Donald Trump back in the White House. President Trump’s agenda will bring tax relief and reverse the inflation that hurts working families the most.”

However, O’Brien has remained nonpartisan in his rhetoric, consistently stressing that the union’s decision-making is based on policy rather than party affiliation. “There’s no secret that the Teamsters union is very different than most unions, and I mean that with total respect,” he explained after his meeting with Harris. He noted that the union represents a diverse membership that includes registered Republicans, Democrats, and independents.

O’Brien has had his own clashes with Trump, most recently condemning the former president’s remarks about anti-strike actions as “economic terrorism.” But that hasn’t changed the clear preference among members.

While Harris struggled to gain traction within the union, polling shows Trump also outperformed Biden among Teamsters members before the president dropped out of the race. An earlier poll found Biden leading Trump 44.3% to 36.3%.

Now, as Harris takes the top spot on the Democratic ticket, the gap has widened, with Trump leading by 27 points. This significant lead suggests that while Democratic candidates have historically benefited from union endorsements, the changing dynamics of the Teamsters membership might present new challenges for Harris heading into the election.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, when asked about the results, pointed to the administration’s strong pro-union record. “This is a president and a vice president that has fought hard for unions throughout the administration,” she said, noting that Biden has often been labeled “the most pro-union president ever.”

The decision by the Teamsters not to endorse could shift how labor unions navigate the upcoming election, particularly as they grapple with a membership base that doesn’t always align with traditional political affiliations. O’Brien’s insistence on focusing on the interests of the union, rather than party loyalties, may shape future endorsements and reflect broader shifts in the political landscape.

But not only that, a lack of an endorsement for Harris by the Teamsters has to cut deep for the Democrats, especially considering the election is now less than two months away.

Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.

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