The Michigan firefighters union has decided not to issue an endorsement in the 2024 presidential race, aligning with the International Association of Fire Fighters’ decision to not back either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. The Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union president stated that while they are following the IAFF’s recommendation, they believe Harris is the best choice for supporting labor issues. Harris campaign officials were hopeful that the MPFFU would endorse her in the battleground state of Michigan, which has significant Electoral College votes at stake in November.
The lack of endorsement from the Michigan firefighters union highlights internal divisions between union leadership and rank-and-file members, with the latter being more likely to support Trump. IAFF General President Edward Kelly had urged state-level firefighter unions not to break with the national decision not to endorse a candidate to prevent swing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona from endorsing Trump in response. Michigan and Pennsylvania decided not to endorse a presidential candidate in 2024, following Kelly’s advice. In contrast, the California firefighters union formally endorsed Harris recently.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a former firefighter and the only retired IAFF member in Congress, emphasized the significance of firefighter unions breaking with Harris, noting that these unions typically endorse Democratic candidates. He suggested that the majority of the membership may have wanted to endorse President Trump. In a surprising move, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which historically supports Democrats, also chose not to make a presidential endorsement despite having a pro-Trump membership.
The lack of endorsement by firefighter unions for Vice President Kamala Harris in crucial swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania could impact her chances in the 2024 election. This decision underscores the challenges Harris faces in gaining union support and demonstrates the potential impact of divisions within unions between leadership and members. The refusal of firefighter unions to endorse Harris comes amid a broader shift in union support towards non-traditional candidates, reflecting the changing political landscape within organized labor.
Overall, the refusal of firefighter unions to endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential race signals a significant shift in union politics, with members expressing support for candidates who may not align with traditional union endorsements. The decision not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris reflects internal divisions within unions and highlights the need for candidates to engage directly with union members to secure their support. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how these decisions will impact the outcome and shape future relationships between political candidates and labor organizations.
