The International Association of Fire Fighters, the first union to endorse President Joe Biden in 2020, said it will not endorse a candidate this election cycle.
The snub is all the more embarrassing for Democrats, as Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) spoke at the group’s last convention in August, though his opponent, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), did as well. The latest nonendorsement could spur trouble for Democrats in November.
“The IAFF Executive Board determined that we are better able to advocate for our members and make progress on the issues that matter to them if we, as a union, are standing shoulder-to-shoulder,” IAFF President Edward Kelly said in a statement. “This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity.”
He said that the decision not to endorse a candidate won out by just 1.2%.
The union represents over 351,000 firefighters, rescue workers, and emergency medical workers.
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The IAFF is the latest union to decline to endorse Harris, signaling lessening labor support for Democrats. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien spoke at the Republican National Convention but not at the Democratic National Convention. He announced last month that the union wouldn’t endorse a candidate after a clear majority said they would vote for former President Donald Trump.
The Teamsters backed every Democratic presidential candidate from 2000 to 2020 and made no endorsement in the 1996 election.
