Teamsters locals, contrary to the national union, back Kamala Harris

( NewsNation ) — The national Teamsters Union organization may not be backing a presidential candidate this year, but nearly two dozen Teamsters locals have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

Locals from the battleground states of Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan have pledged their support for the Harris-Walz ticket. Locals and joint councils in 16 other states have joined in.

Additionally, some Teamsters Retirees organizations and the Teamsters National Black Caucus have also endorsed Harris. The Harris campaign says the endorsements collectively represent about one million Teamsters members.

While the Harris campaign may distance itself from President Joe Biden on some issues, the vice president’s ties to her boss on labor may work in her favor.

Biden made history last year by joining the picket line during the United Auto Workers strike in Detroit. Biden became the first sitting president to appear on the picket line.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is pointing to a poll the union released before its non-endorsement announcement.

According to that poll, about 60% of Teamsters Union members support Trump, while 34% support Harris. Before he left the campaign, Biden won 44.3% of Teamsters’ support, compared to Trump’s 36.3%.

Just after that poll was released, Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said that neither major candidate was able to make serious commitments to put the interests of working people before big business.

The Teamsters Union generally supports Democrats but did back Republicans Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Over the summer, O’Brien appeared at the Republican National Convention, sparking rumors of a possible Trump endorsement.

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