Kamala Harris, the U.S. presidential candidate, secured the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) last week. However, her challenge lies in winning the support of the union’s almost 400,000 members. While polls show Harris with a small national lead over Donald Trump, securing the votes of UAW members in Michigan is crucial for her, given the state’s history of supporting Democrats. According to polling firm Edison Research, Michigan households with union members have been more likely to vote for Democrats in recent elections.
Trump, on the other hand, has made efforts to win over union members and blue-collar workers across the country. Although the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, led by Sean O’Brien, has yet to endorse a candidate, O’Brien gave a speech at the Republican National Convention.
To gain the support of UAW members, Harris met with union workers in Detroit and held a rally with UAW President Shawn Fain. Fain praised Harris’ record on fighting against corporate price-gouging, profiteering, and unfair trade deals. He also spoke highly of Harris’ vice-presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Fain emphasized that Harris stands with working people, while Trump stands with the billionaire and corporate class.
The support of UAW members has historically favored Democratic candidates. In the 2020 presidential race, 62% of Michigan households with a union member voted for Joe Biden, contributing to his victory in the state. This support for Democrats has remained consistent since at least 2008, with UAW member support for Republican candidates never exceeding 35%.
The executive board of the UAW votes to endorse a candidate, indicating where the union will focus its political resources. While the endorsement doesn’t guarantee support from rank-and-file UAW workers, it provides a boost to Harris’ campaign. The UAW has a history of being an important player in voter mobilization efforts, which include not only monetary resources but also organizing efforts.
Chris Vitale, a UAW member for 30 years and an employee at Jeep-maker Stellantis, believes that the support for Trump among UAW members is stronger than publicly acknowledged by union leadership. Vitale plans to support Trump, citing his record on trade and tax issues that affect the auto industry. However, there is a “Auto Workers for Trump” group that Vitale participates in, and they will be holding a gathering near Harris’ Detroit rally.
When it comes to the question of electric vehicles (EVs), Trump has been critical of them and Joe Biden’s policies surrounding them. However, after receiving an endorsement from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Trump changed his tone and expressed support for EVs. Some auto workers, like Vitale, support both Trump and EVs. However, Vitale believes that pushing EVs on drivers before the market is ready may harm the industry. Elija-Blu Lampkin, another auto worker, wants to hear more from Harris about how she will keep jobs in Michigan during the transition to EVs.
In conclusion, while Harris has secured the endorsement of the United Auto Workers, she must still work to earn the support of its members, particularly in the battleground state of Michigan. Trump has made efforts to win over union members and blue-collar workers, and some UAW members continue to support him. The EV question is also a concern, with some workers wanting more information from Harris on job preservation amid the transition to EVs.