Kamala Harris has recently touted endorsements from several local Teamster organization leaders, trying to shore up support within the labor movement ahead of the 2024 election. However, beneath these endorsements lies a stark divide between union leadership and the working members they represent. While union leaders maintain their traditional support for the Democratic Party, a growing number of rank-and-file Teamsters are shifting their support to Donald Trump. 

A recent internal poll conducted by the national Teamsters Union revealed that 59.6% of members favored Trump over Harris, exposing a widening gap between the political stances of union leaders and the base. Despite the leadership’s public backing of Harris, many workers, particularly those in battleground states, feel alienated from the Democratic Party, citing concerns that union leadership is ignoring their voices.

This divide is not just about a presidential election; it’s a reflection of a broader discontent within labor unions. Union members are increasingly frustrated by what they see as a failure of leadership to address their economic concerns, including inflation, trade, job security, issues that Trump has emphasized throughout his campaign. Sean O’Brien, the president of the national Teamsters, even acknowledged the disconnect between the leadership and the base, stating that many lifelong Democratic members are unhappy that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) refused to allow him to speak at their convention, while censoring the speeches of those union members who were allowed to participate.

“The Democratic Party didn’t try to listen to us, and that’s what our members are upset about,” O’Brien said, acknowledging that rank-and-file Teamsters are increasingly disillusioned with their leaders’ ties to the Democrats. This disconnect was compounded by the Republican National Convention’s open and unedited acceptance of the Teamsters’ messaging, further driving a wedge between union members and their Democratic leadership.