Kamala Harris’ Push for Teamsters Support Backfires

Vice President Kamala Harris’ combative approach to securing the Teamsters union’s endorsement during her time as a Democratic nominee left union leadership cold and contributed to a historic loss of support. According to Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, Harris’ demands and dismissive attitude toward union concerns alienated the powerful labor organization, shifting many of its members toward Donald Trump.

In a revealing interview with Tucker Carlson, O’Brien recounted an encounter between Harris and Joan Corey, a vice president on the Teamsters’ general executive board, in mid-2020. At an event, Harris reportedly told Corey, “You better get on board. You better get on board soon,” pressing the union to endorse her and President Joe Biden’s ticket before Biden had even formally exited the race.

O’Brien, recalling his reaction to Corey’s account, said, “I call up Marty Walsh … and I’m like, ‘Excuse my French. Who does this f***ing lady think she is?’” The Teamsters leader added, “If I want support from any organization, I am not gonna point my finger in someone’s face and say, ‘You better get on board or else.’ But that’s the attitude of this whole party.”

O’Brien also detailed a tense roundtable meeting Harris held with the Teamsters after clinching the Democratic nomination. Harris reportedly answered just four out of 16 questions posed by union leaders before her staff cut the meeting short. When she exited, Harris told them, “I’m going to win with you or without you.”

This high-handed behavior contrasted sharply with other candidates, including Donald Trump, who answered all the union’s questions and engaged more extensively with labor leadership. O’Brien noted the difference, saying, “That’s not how you gain support from working-class people.”

The union’s leadership ultimately withheld its endorsement, marking the first time in decades that the Teamsters did not back a Democratic candidate. Their polling showed no majority support for Harris among members, with a significant portion favoring Trump instead.

This lack of support proved devastating in the 2020 election. Harris lost every battleground state, a result reflecting the erosion of trust between the Democratic Party and key labor groups traditionally seen as their base.

The Teamsters’ resistance also underscored broader issues with Harris’ style of leadership, which critics often describe as disconnected from working-class voters. O’Brien summed up the sentiment, saying, “If you want respect and support, you don’t strong-arm people. You show them respect, and you earn it.”

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