Vice President Kamala Harris faced an unexpected setback during her recent visit to Michigan, highlighting the shifting dynamics of labor support in the 2024 election.
As reported by the Associated Press, Harris arrived at a new firehouse in Redford Township, Michigan, anticipating an endorsement from the International Association of Firefighters.
However, the union had decided against backing any candidate. Despite this setback, Harris continues to garner support from various labor organizations. National teachers unions, building trade unions, the AFL-CIO, and the United Auto Workers have all endorsed the vice president following Biden's decision not to seek reelection.
The firefighters union's choice to withhold endorsement highlights the evolving nature of political allegiances among working-class voters.
Matthew Sahr, leader of the Michigan Firefighters Union, attended Harris's event despite the lack of endorsement. He emphasized the importance of showing up, stating, "We could have chosen to stay away. But what kind of message would that send?"
The union's spokesman declined to comment further on the decision, maintaining their previously released statement that no endorsement would be made for either Harris or former President Donald Trump.
During her speech at the firehouse, Harris openly criticized Trump's record on labor issues, accusing him of being consistently against unions throughout his career. She cautioned that a second Trump term could lead to significant efforts to weaken organized labor.
Harris pointed out that Trump supports "right-to-work" laws, which tend to create obstacles for unionization efforts. She also mentioned that, during his presidency, Trump implemented executive orders in 2018 aimed at limiting the ability of federal employees' unions to engage in collective bargaining.
Harris's campaign faces the challenge of maintaining support among working-class voters who have traditionally aligned with Democrats. The vice president addressed recent labor developments, including the suspension of a dockworkers' strike and the tentative agreement to raise salaries. These events underscore the ongoing importance of labor issues in the election.
Harris also criticized Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, for their stance on federal support for a GM plant in Lansing, Michigan. She emphasized the Biden administration's efforts to keep the plant open and protect Michigan jobs.
Both Harris and Trump have been actively campaigning in Michigan, recognizing its importance as a battleground state. Harris held an evening rally in Flint, where she was joined by basketball legend Magic Johnson and UAW President Shawn Fain. She focused on the administration's commitment to investing in communities like Flint and protecting automotive industry jobs.
Trump, meanwhile, has been positioning the Republican Party as "the party of the American worker" despite his anti-union record as president. He recently held rallies in Saginaw and made a trip to Flint, emphasizing his focus on the auto industry.
The Harris campaign's experience in Michigan underscores the ongoing importance of labor support in the 2024 election. While facing challenges in securing some union endorsements, Harris continues to emphasize her commitment to workers' rights and criticize Trump's labor record. The evolving political landscape among working-class voters remains a key factor as both campaigns vie for support in crucial battleground states.
