Teamsters president questions Kamala Harris endorsement at RNC

Sean O'Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has not yet endorsed a candidate for the 2024 presidential race, citing the need to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris first. He emphasized that endorsements should come after thorough discussions, likening it to hiring practices. The Teamsters, a significant union with 1.3 million members, have historically waited until after both major party conventions to endorse a candidate, but this cycle is different due to their approach under O'Brien's leadership. O'Brien's recent appearance at the Republican National Convention marked a historic moment, as he was the first Teamsters leader to address the RNC. He stated that the union has engaged with both Republican and Democratic candidates, including former President Donald Trump and President Biden, but is still awaiting a commitment from Harris to meet. O'Brien noted that the union's membership is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, which influences their endorsement strategy. The Harris-Walz campaign has indicated that Harris is open to participating in a roundtable discussion with the Teamsters to discuss her record and vision. O'Brien's speech at the RNC focused on advocating for American workers and was not intended as an endorsement of any political party, despite receiving a positive reception from Trump. O'Brien expressed disappointment that the Democratic National Convention did not respond to his request to speak, contrasting it with the immediate response from the RNC. He reiterated the importance of highlighting the value of Teamster workers and their ongoing fight for labor rights, regardless of political affiliation.