The Teamsters Union, with over one million members under its banner, is currently deliberating whether to endorse any candidate in this year’s presidential race or not – a decision that could significantly impact the reelection campaign of President Joe Biden.
Sources close to the matter informed Reuters that top officials from the Teamsters may decide against endorsing any candidate in the upcoming election, marking the first time since 1996 that the union has chosen not to endorse a presidential hopeful. Historically, the Teamsters have had ties with the Democrats; however, they have also backed Republican Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.
Despite this historical relationship, insiders reveal that an endorsement of either President Trump or Joe Biden seems unlikely at present. The spokesperson for the Teamsters stated that no final decision has been made regarding the endorsement.
In a noteworthy moment during the Republican National Convention, Teamsters’ President Sean M. O’Brien publicly acknowledged the fact that his union had yet to determine which candidate they would support. After his speech at the RNC, O’Brientweeted about the historic occasion, noting he had not been invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
It’s an honor to be the first Teamster in our 121-year history to address the Republican National Convention,” O’Brien said during his speech. President Trump had the backbone to open the doors to this Republican convention, and that’s unprecedented. No other nominee in the race would’ve invited the Teamsters into this arena.
This development raises questions about the impact of a potential lack of endorsement from the Teamsters Union on President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. As a major labor union with significant influence, their decision could prove to be an essential factor in determining the outcome of the presidential race.