Vice President Kamala Harris has been dealt a setback in her 2024 presidential bid as the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), a union representing over 300,000 firefighters and emergency responders, has decided not to endorse any candidate. This decision, announced on Thursday, follows a similar choice made by the Teamsters Union, both of which have a history of backing Democratic candidates.
The IAFF, which endorsed President Biden early in his 2020 campaign, attributed the decision to its executive board’s vote, which narrowly chose to remain neutral in the race. IAFF General President Edward Kelly explained that after considerable consultation with members, the union concluded that it would better serve members’ interests by maintaining a neutral stance.
Florida Congressman Carlos Gimenez, a retired firefighter and IAFF member, commented on the decision, calling it significant and suggesting it reflects a shift in union sentiment. He noted that many rank-and-file IAFF members support former President Donald Trump, pointing to his policies on national security, manufacturing, and job creation as key issues that resonate with firefighters.
The Trump campaign seized on the IAFF’s non-endorsement as a sign of disapproval toward Harris’s campaign, with campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt asserting that Americans, including firefighters and other union members, are “tired” of policies they believe contribute to inflation and rising energy prices.
With two major unions opting out of endorsements, Harris’s campaign now faces the challenge of appealing to middle-class union workers, particularly as Trump continues to push his platform of economic reform and national security as Election Day approaches.