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While President Joe Biden managed to maintain some support from unions during his campaign, Vice President Harris lacks that same appeal. Harris, a politician from San Francisco, has struggled to form meaningful connections with the working class. Her elite background and political persona do not resonate with many union members, who are turning their backs on the Democratic Party in favor of Trump.
In a surprising turn of events, the Teamsters—the largest private-sector union in the country—refused to endorse a candidate in this Presidential election. This marks the first time since 1996 that the Teamsters have remained neutral. A survey of the union’s rank-and-file members revealed that nearly 60% of them support Trump. While Biden led in earlier surveys, his exit from the race shifted the momentum toward Trump, leaving the Democrats scrambling to win back support.
Similarly, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) also declined to endorse a candidate in this election. This growing trend of union members siding with Trump, despite pressure from their leadership, has caused alarm among Democratic leaders.
The declining support from unions is not just a problem for Harris; it reflects a broader issue for the Democratic Party. U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz both addressed the IAFF convention in an attempt to win the union’s endorsement, a move that signals how critical union voters have become.
Traditionally, Democratic candidates could count on the support of Big Labor, but Harris’s struggles indicate a deeper fracture between the party and the working class. This growing disconnect could have serious repercussions for the Democrats, as they are now forced to navigate a political landscape where union members are no longer guaranteed supporters.
Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, has expressed frustration with the Democrats’ inability to retain union support. As a self-proclaimed card-carrying member of the teachers’ union, Walz was expected to help Harris make inroads with working-class voters. However, recent developments suggest that even his background may not be enough to sway the tide in favor of the Democratic Party.
In an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, hosted by Hollywood actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Walz discussed the challenges Democrats face with union voters. Arnett, who was born in Canada, seemed baffled by the fact that union members were supporting Trump, asking, “How Trump and Republicans have ‘been able to fool these people?’”
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Walz’s response revealed his own frustration. “The rank-and-file union members is one thing. The leadership in unions, that’s more political than what I’m doing right now… And I’m as frustrated as you are on this,” he admitted.
This tone of frustration, bordering on condescension, is one of the reasons many working-class voters have turned their backs on the Democratic Party. Many union members feel patronized, not just by politicians but by Hollywood elites like Arnett, who implied that they were being “fooled” into supporting Trump. Such dismissive attitudes have alienated voters who once formed the backbone of the Democratic coalition.
Walz went on to acknowledge that Democrats bear some responsibility for losing union support. “I don’t think that’s the full blame on it. Certainly, Donald Trump is a master of manipulation… But I do think there’s some ways in, ‘What are we not doing to appeal to those rank [and file union members]?’” he said.
The Governor even drew a comparison to his time as a teacher, noting that when most students failed a test, it was often his fault for not conveying the material effectively. “Probably had a little something to do with me in there. Was I not getting it across?” Walz wondered aloud.
His admission underscores the seriousness of the problem. When a prominent Democrat like Walz is willing to publicly acknowledge the party’s shortcomings, it signals that the situation may be even more dire than previously thought.
For Kamala Harris, the problem is even more acute. As she continues to struggle to win over union voters, the Democratic Party faces the prospect of a significant portion of its base defecting to Trump in the final weeks before Election Day. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and unless Harris and the Democrats can reverse the tide, they may find themselves losing more than just the union vote.
