### Teamsters Union Declines to Endorse Candidates for 2024 Presidential Election
#### Official Announcement
On Wednesday, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest labor unions in the U.S. with 1.3 million members, announced that it will **not formally endorse** any presidential candidate for the 2024 election. This decision came after months of speculation regarding potential support for either Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump.
#### Reasons for Non-Endorsement
– **Polling Results**: The union’s general executive board revealed that polling among its members did not show **universal or majority support** for either candidate. Teamsters President **Sean O’Brien** emphasized the importance of commitments from candidates to protect the interests of working people.
– **Lack of Commitments**: O’Brien stated that both Trump and Harris were unable to provide serious commitments regarding key union issues. The union sought assurances that neither candidate would interfere in critical union campaigns or core Teamsters industries, as well as a pledge to honor members’ right to strike.
#### Historical Context
The decision to abstain from endorsing a candidate marks a notable departure from the union’s historical trend of supporting Democratic candidates. In the past, the Teamsters have often aligned with Democratic presidential hopefuls, but the current political landscape appears to be shifting.
– **Previous Statements**: Earlier in the election cycle, O’Brien hinted at a potential openness to supporting Trump during his speech at the Republican National Convention. He underscored the union’s commitment to representing its diverse membership, which includes Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
– **Engagement with Candidates**: The Teamsters conducted unprecedented roundtables with candidates, giving them the opportunity to meet directly with union members. However, the outcomes did not yield the necessary commitments to warrant an endorsement.
#### Conclusion
The Teamsters Union’s non-endorsement reflects a broader concern among labor organizations regarding candidates’ commitments to workers’ rights. By choosing not to support either Trump or Harris, the Teamsters signal their demand for stronger assurances on labor issues, highlighting the union’s dedication to advocating for its members in an increasingly polarized political environment.