WASHINGTON — The Teamsters Union, one of the largest labor unions in the U.S. with 1.3 million members, is meeting in Washington on Wednesday to deliberate on its endorsement for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The union’s executive board is expected to decide soon on which candidate to back, with a decision possibly coming as early as Wednesday, according to Teamsters President Sean O’Brien.
The Teamsters’ endorsement could be influential in key battleground states like Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, where union membership remains strong. In recent meetings, the union has engaged with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The Teamsters previously endorsed Joe Biden in 2020, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
While most major unions, including the United Auto Workers and AFL-CIO, have endorsed Harris, O’Brien noted that the union is carefully weighing its options. He emphasized the importance of making the right decision, considering polling data from its members, which will be presented to the executive board. However, O’Brien did not rule out the possibility of the union withholding an endorsement altogether.
With the November 5 election looming, the Teamsters’ choice could play a significant role in shaping the outcome in key states.