Pennsylvania Truck Drivers Conference Endorses Kamala Harris for President

The Pennsylvania State Conference of Professional Drivers Teamsters endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, after the International Brotherhood of Professional Drivers Teamsters Pennsylvania State Conference declined to endorse the presidential candidate.

The lack of endorsement by the national truck drivers union was seen as a blow to Harris’ campaign, while former President Donald Trump viewed it as a victory.

But the endorsement from the 95,000-member Pennsylvania Teamsters union, which also represents union members in parts of New Jersey and Delaware, could signal stronger union support in a state that both candidates see as one of the most crucial swing states in the election.

“I think it’s more important because we’re here in these swing states,” said Richard Hooker Jr. of Philadelphia Teamsters Local 623. “It’s more important for us to really show our members where we stand as workers, especially in these critical states where she’s going to need our support to get to the finish line.”

The Teamsters Local 623 truck drivers union in Philadelphia endorsed Harris in August, and the state conference endorsed her this month.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters leadership decided not to endorse, citing that no candidate had received enough support from the 1.3 million-member union that represents truck drivers, warehouse workers and other employees. The decision embarrassed Hooker, he said.

Sean O’Brien, the general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, spoke at the Republican National Convention in July — a striking move for a union leader. But he did not endorse Trump. O’Brien was not invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention.

Harris’ campaign touted her support among local Teamsters members, as well as endorsements from the Teamsters National Black Caucus and Teamsters Retirees.

Harris and her vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have both strongly supported unions and have amassed a number of union endorsements. In a press release announcing its support for the Pennsylvania Teamsters, the group called President Joe Biden and the Harris administration “the most pro-union administration in history.”

Sam Walz is a former member of the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the country, which represents teachers and boasts 3 million members.

“I think other leaders around the country … realize that we need to engage our members and educate them about the importance of this election,” Hooker said. “Regardless of what the executive board does or doesn’t do, we recognize what’s at stake in terms of our union way of life.”