Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a rally at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S., October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Sam Wolfe/File Photo
Vice President Kamala Harris Faces Challenges in Securing Support Among Male Union Volunteers Ahead of U.S. Election
Overview
With the U.S. presidential election days away, Vice President Kamala Harris is contending with lower levels of support from male volunteers within certain labor unions, especially those required for critical get-out-the-vote operations. These challenges, as highlighted by senior labor officials, reflect a complex dynamic among traditional Democratic union supporters, some of whom are shifting toward Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Union Support in Question Despite Longstanding Democratic Alliance
Historically, labor unions have leaned toward Democratic candidates, with Harris and President Joe Biden advocating consistently for workers’ rights and union negotiations. However, Trump has made notable inroads with union workers over recent years, and any decline in union support could influence what is anticipated to be a closely contested election.
If elected, Harris would make history as the United States’ first female and second Black president. Nevertheless, senior union leaders indicate that sexism and racism may be affecting her appeal among some union demographics. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler suggested that biases against women in leadership roles contribute to a perception that Harris may not meet the traditional profile of a presidential candidate.
Strategic Outreach Amid Difficulties Reaching Male Union Members
To mitigate these challenges, the AFL-CIO has adapted its outreach efforts by visiting male union members at their workplaces rather than their homes, as finding them during off-hours has proven challenging. The issue appears particularly prevalent within predominantly male-dominated building trades unions, such as electricians and pipefitters, according to Shuler.
Conversely, service unions with more diverse memberships have observed a gender-based shift: while support among men has dipped, women’s support for Harris has strengthened. This trend mirrors national polling patterns, with Reuters data indicating Harris gaining traction among women, particularly white women, while Trump sees an increase in male support.
Disparities in Support by Union and Region
Some regional union leaders underscore these shifts. James Maravelias, president of the Delaware AFL-CIO, noted that Harris’ support among male members has been influenced by her stance on certain liberal social issues, in addition to perceived gender biases.
For instance, door-knocking efforts led by the AFL-CIO in Philadelphia, initially aimed at a broad voter base, had to narrow their outreach to known Harris supporters after a lower-than-expected turnout of male volunteers. These findings indicate a nuanced landscape within major unions that, while generally endorsing Harris, reflect varying degrees of support at the rank-and-file level across industries and regions.
Variations in Union Support for Harris Across Key States
Support for Harris remains robust in certain areas, such as Racine, Wisconsin. Richard Glowacki, chairman of UAW Local 180, noted strong demand for Democratic yard signs and active voter mobilization among retirees. Yet, the broader union picture reveals disparities; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union with over 1.3 million members, decided against endorsing a candidate after polling revealed Trump led Harris by a significant margin among its members.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll also highlighted Harris leading Trump 47% to 36% among union households, though this margin is slimmer than Biden’s 16-point advantage over Trump among union members in 2020, per an Edison Research poll.
Gender Gaps in Support Reflect Broader Voter Trends
The Harris campaign spokesperson, Lauren Hitt, emphasized that while Harris may be experiencing diminished support among non-college-educated men, these declines could be counterbalanced by increased support from non-college-educated women. Conversely, union officials like Jimmy Williams, president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), reported heightened support for Harris among female members, particularly in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Importance of Union Votes in Key Battleground States
Union members constitute a substantial portion of the electorate in crucial battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, according to the AFL-CIO, and their votes could prove pivotal. These states, known collectively as the “Blue Wall,” are among seven key battlegrounds expected to decide the outcome of the election. Union participation is also essential to Democrats’ get-out-the-vote efforts, with union members traditionally engaging in extensive door-knocking campaigns to mobilize support.
Addressing the Role of Gender in Electoral Challenges
In response to concerns over potential gender bias affecting her candidacy, Harris has expressed confidence in the electorate’s readiness to elect a female president. Nonetheless, union leaders like Jimmy Williams observed that support for Trump among women within his union is rare, suggesting a complex, gendered landscape in voter preferences across states.
The overall outcome may hinge on how well both candidates address these internal divides within unions as Election Day approaches.
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