Sean O’Brien, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, discusses the shift in union voters towards supporting Trump. Topics include union endorsements in swing states, Biden's efforts to gain union support, skepticism towards Democrats, and the Republican Party's focus on pro-worker policies under Trump's influence.
Union voters are showing interest in Trump due to his focus on working families and infrastructure.
Diversity issues and skepticism towards Democrats contribute to union members' shift towards the Republican Party.
Deep dives
Teamsters Union President Sean O'Brien's Speech at the Republican National Convention
At the Republican National Convention, Teamsters Union President Sean O'Brien made history as the first Teamsters president to speak at the convention. O'Brien criticized multinational corporations like Amazon and Walmart for not taking responsibility for their workers, calling for corporate welfare reform. His presence at the RNC, despite the Teamsters endorsing Democrats in past elections, highlighted the potential influence of union voters in swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Shift of Union Members to the Republican Party
Some union members are shifting towards the Republican Party, attracted by Trump's focus on working families and infrastructure. Social issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and cultural differences contribute to this shift. Union members express skepticism towards the Democratic Party's representation of their economic interests and concerns regarding issues like trade and immigration policies.
Impact on Union Support and Biden's Efforts
Trump's outreach to unions and populist policies have influenced some union voters, potentially affecting Biden's union support. Biden's focus on unions and legislation for creating union jobs and pension benefits contrasts with Trump's policies against unions. The narrowing advantage with union voters poses a challenge for the Biden campaign in key states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where union support could sway the election outcome.
Last night at the Republican National Convention, Sean O’Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, spoke. O’Brien was the first Teamsters president to ever speak at an RNC and his presence represents a shift in union voters away from the Democratic Party. WSJ’s Paul Kiernan reports on why some union voters are interested in voting for former President Trump this election.