Teamsters Union is reportedly contemplating not endorsing any candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, including the incumbent President Joe Biden. This move, if implemented, could have a substantial impact on Biden’s reelection prospects.
What Happened: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing 1.3 million members from trucking and manufacturing, among others, could decide on the matter in the coming weeks, Reuters reported.
The union had endorsed Biden in the 2020 election. However, due to internal divisions, it is now uncertain if the union will back any candidate, including Biden. This would be the first time since 1996 that the Teamsters have not endorsed a candidate, the report said.
The union’s relationship with the Biden administration has deteriorated over the past few months, particularly concerning the rescue of trucking company Yellow Corp from bankruptcy. The union’s President, Sean O’Brien, was reportedly denied an Oval Office meeting to discuss the issue with Biden.
The union’s decision was also influenced by the dissatisfaction of some Democratic lawmakers and donors with Biden’s performance, especially after a presidential debate on June 27, a person familiar with the union’s deliberations told Reuters.
Amid this, O’Brien also delivered an address at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee on Monday, at the invitation of former President Donald Trump. This is the first time a Teamsters president has spoken at the RNC.
Why It Matters: The Teamsters Union has historically been a significant player in U.S. presidential elections, often endorsing Democratic candidates. The potential decision not to endorse any candidate could significantly impact Biden’s reelection bid, especially considering unions’ influence in key battleground states.
However, a Teamsters endorsement of Republican candidate Donald Trump also seems unlikely, Reuters reported.
United Auto Workers union, which includes nearly 400,000 active members, including many employed by U.S. automakers including Ford and General Motors, however, endorsed Biden in January.
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Photo courtesy: Teamsters
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