Kamala Harris Gains Union Support in Election, but Trump Secures Presidency

 

Kamala Harris garnered strong support from union members in Tuesday's election, outpacing her 2020 numbers, yet it was not enough to prevent Donald Trump from winning the presidency. According to AP Votecast exit data, Harris achieved a 57-39 split in favor of union voters, marking a notable increase from the previous election. Steve Smith, deputy director of public affairs at the AFL-CIO, highlighted the union turnout for Harris, describing it as “crystal clear” on social media.

The AFL-CIO, the largest U.S. labor federation, reported engaging with 3 million voters in its largest mobilization effort to date. Unions like the United Auto Workers and Unite Here, which represents around 300,000 hospitality workers, launched extensive door-knocking campaigns in key swing states, with Unite Here alone reaching 4 million doors.

Despite increased union backing, Harris saw a drop in support among low-income voters, particularly those earning under $50,000 annually, a demographic that supported Biden in 2020. This shift affected her standing with moderate-income voters as well, losing ground with those making between $50,000 and $100,000 a year.

Although many labor unions supported Harris, the influential Teamsters International chose not to endorse any candidate. Labor organizations expressed disappointment with the outcome but reiterated their commitment to advocating for pro-labor policies as Trump prepares to assume office with a Republican-majority Senate.

Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of the National Employment Law Project, emphasized that unions will continue to push for policies that advance economic growth and social equality, regardless of the political shift. Similarly, April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents about 2 million workers and invested $200 million in the election, declared that “we are not defeated, we are determined.”

Union leaders and members expressed resilience amid the challenges, with Jessica Bolmer, an Illinois home care worker and SEIU member, noting the success of rallying a multiracial voting bloc despite barriers and voter suppression.

While some unions offered congratulations to Trump, they also emphasized the importance of bipartisan efforts. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing 78,000 pilots, expressed readiness to work with the new administration to support safety in aviation and advance pilots' interests.

Labor unions saw significant victories in down-ballot initiatives. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Senate candidate backed by unions, led in the state, while Missouri voters approved a union-supported measure to raise the state minimum wage to $15 by 2026 and introduce paid sick leave. Alaska also passed a measure to increase its minimum wage to $15 by 2027, though a similar initiative in California aiming to raise it to $18 is likely to fall short.

Fran Marion, a Kansas City fast-food worker and organizer with Fight for $15, celebrated the gains, attributing them to years of worker activism: “This victory wouldn’t have been possible without over a decade of low-wage workers organizing for $15 and a union.”