Teamsters Ohio Endorsement Highlights Union Leadership’s Disconnect From Rank-and-File
The Ohio Conference of Teamsters endorsed Democrat Sherrod Brown for Senate, a move that runs opposite to member polls and the union’s long-standing Democratic funding pattern.
Last week the Ohio Conference of Teamsters announced its endorsement of Democrat Sherrod Brown for the 2026 U.S. Senate race, a decision that contradicts internal polling showing a majority of members would prefer a Donald Trump endorsement. Federal campaign-finance data indicate the Teamsters have allocated between 92% and 97% of their political contributions to Democrats since 1990, never exceeding 16% for Republicans.
Similar patterns appear across major labor groups: the United Auto Workers backed Kamala Harris, the AFL-CIO unanimously supported Harris after earlier endorsing Joe Biden, and the National Education Association directed roughly 98% of its PAC spending to Democrats in 2024. Observers argue union leaders sacrifice member preferences for a consistent Democratic alignment, even when Republicans hold the Senate and House and could offer policy concessions.
The commentary urges Republicans seeking workers’ support to adopt policies that raise wages and expand opportunities rather than courting union leadership as a vote-bank. Gene Hamilton, senior advisor to the Coalition to Protect American Workers, authored the piece.
Why it matters
It reveals how major unions may prioritize partisan ties over the political wishes of their members.
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