In a surprising turn of events, the Republican party continues to garner support from labor unions, despite the Teamsters Union President Sean OBrien's relentless criticism of Democrats for their perceived abandonment of the working class.
According to Conservative Daily News, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters political arm, known as the Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education (DRIVE) PAC, has donated nearly $70,000 to Republicans this year. This marks the second consecutive cycle that the Teamsters political wing has financially backed Republican candidates, a significant shift after nearly two decades of exclusive support for Democrats.
Kara Deniz, a spokesperson for the Teamsters, explained this shift to POLITICOs Playbook, stating, Our members are working people whose interests cut across party lines. And theres no value in living in a bubble where you only talk to certain people to the exclusion of others.
The DRIVE PAC's contributions included $5,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and a combined $62,000 to 22 House Republicans, including New York Representatives Nicole Malliotakis, Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, and New Jersey Representatives Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith.
OBrien has been vocal in his criticism of the Democratic Party's perceived failure to connect with the working class. This is despite former President Joe Biden's frequent claims of his one-term tenure being the most pro-union presidency in American history.
OBrien expressed his views on the Honestly with Bari Weiss podcast, stating, Where the Democrats lost they fell in love with their captors. They fell in love with big money. They fell in love with big tech. And they forgot who theyre truly representing: working people. You know why? Because theyre not in their communities, not in their neighborhoods. Theyre not talking to the people that theyre paid to represent.
OBrien further criticized the Democratic Party's focus on social justice issues, arguing that such issues did not resonate with their members. He said, And it seemed like this narrative of the social justice issues, it didnt identify with our members. Our members identify with more money in their pockets, more job protection, better pensions.
OBrien made history as the first union president to speak at a Republican National Convention (RNC) in July 2024. His appearance was part of an effort to foster a closer relationship between the union and Republican candidates. The Teamsters refrained from endorsing a presidential candidate during the 2024 presidential election, following internal surveys that revealed nearly 60% of their members favored Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The 2024 political cycle saw Trump successfully court the labor vote, securing the majority of non-college voters across all racial backgrounds and voters earning less than $50,000 per year. As the midterms approach, Republican strategists are striving to retain this support, even as Democratic groups invest heavily to reclaim this voting bloc.
NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella highlighted the Republicans' commitment to the working class, stating, Hardworking men and women across the country are rallying behind Republicans up and down the ballot because we fight for their jobs, their families, and their future. Democrats have abandoned them for their deeply out of touch, radical policies.
Despite the shift towards Republicans, the Teamsters political arm continues to financially back Democratic candidates and causes. The DRIVE PAC donated $200,000 to the Democratic Attorneys General Association and $100,000 to the Democratic Governors Association during the second fundraising quarter. The Teamsters did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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