Harris-Walz Campaign Hit Hard as Firefighters Union Refuses Endorsement

In a stunning setback for the Democrats, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz suffered another significant blow this week when the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the nation’s largest firefighters union, refused to endorse any candidate for the upcoming presidential election. The IAFF’s decision represents a major shift in political support, as the powerful union has traditionally backed Democrat candidates for decades.

Edward A. Kelly, General President of the IAFF, made the announcement Thursday, stating that after extensive consultations with members, the Executive Board voted to withhold an endorsement for the 2024 election. "Over the past year, the IAFF took unprecedented steps to hear our members’ views on the candidates and the policy issues that matter most to them," Kelly explained. "We encourage our members – and all eligible voters – to get out and make their voices heard in the upcoming election."

The IAFF’s decision to stay neutral is a significant blow to the Democratic ticket of Harris and Walz, given the union’s immense political influence. With 350,000 members across the U.S. and Canada, and its Political Action Committee (FIREPAC) ranking among the top in the country, the union's endorsement has historically carried considerable weight. The group represents firefighters who protect 85% of communities in both nations, making their influence in local and national elections undeniable.

This is not the first major labor group to turn away from Harris in recent months. In a surprising move, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing over 1.3 million members, also opted not to endorse any candidate for president. For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Teamsters abstained from supporting a presidential nominee, a clear signal of the growing discontent within labor unions toward the current Democratic leadership.

Internal polling data from the Teamsters revealed a significant shift in support. While members backed President Joe Biden over Donald Trump by eight points (44.3% to 36.3%), that changed dramatically when Biden dropped out and Harris became the Democratic nominee. Trump surged ahead with 59.6% support compared to just 34% for Harris a seismic shift that underscores the growing unease within key blue-collar unions.

The IAFF’s decision to break with its long-standing tradition of endorsing Democrats is especially concerning for the Harris-Walz ticket. The union has been a reliable ally, endorsing every Democratic presidential nominee for decades, with the exception of twice-failed candidate Hillary Clinton. Their refusal to endorse signals broader disillusionment among rank-and-file members, many of whom are likely wary of the Democratic Party's policies and direction under the Biden-Harris administration.

This lack of support from organized labor couldn’t come at a worse time for Democrats. With the 2024 election fast approaching, Harris and Walz are left scrambling to shore up their base as traditional allies fall away. Labor unions, which once formed the backbone of Democratic political power, now appear fractured, and their growing support for Donald Trump threatens to upend the Democratic playbook.

For Harris and Walz, the loss of union support reflects a larger challenge: connecting with working-class voters who increasingly feel left behind by the Democratic Party's priorities. As more unions turn their backs on Harris, it remains to be seen whether the Democrats can regain the trust of these influential voter blocs or if Trump will once again ride a wave of blue-collar support to victory.

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