Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the backing of the National Black Caucus of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, despite the broader union’s delay in making an endorsement. The caucus, known as TNBC, voted unanimously to support Harris during a conference in Las Vegas.
Their decision underscores Harris’s and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s strong commitment to labor rights and working-class Americans, as highlighted in their post-vote statement.
While the Teamsters’ larger organization remains undecided, with President Sean O’Brien stating they will wait until after both party conventions to endorse a candidate, TNBC’s support reflects a clear alignment with Harris’s values. O’Brien has invited all presidential candidates to interview, but Harris has not yet been scheduled.
Vice President Kamala Harris secures support from the Teamsters’ Black Caucus as the broader union remains undecided on endorsements
TNBC Chair James Curbeam criticized former President Donald Trump’s long history of actions in politics and business, stating that endorsing Trump would go against the union’s core values. The Teamsters’ cautious approach contrasts with Harris’s quick endorsements from other labor groups following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Tensions within the Teamsters have been heightened by O’Brien’s outreach to Republicans and his recent criticisms of Trump, especially after Trump’s controversial remarks about striking workers. The Teamsters’ internal surveys indicate a plurality of support Biden, but the union continues to gauge its members’ opinions.
In Chicago, Harris is expected to receive substantial support from organized labor, with multiple unions already endorsing her and contributing to the convention’s setup, highlighting the labor movement’s backing of her and Walz’s pro-union stance.
