Firefighters Union Opts Out of Presidential Endorsement, Impacting Harris Campaign

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has announced its decision to refrain from endorsing a presidential candidate for the upcoming election. This choice, made by a slim margin of 1.2%, has potential implications for Vice President Kamala Harris' re-election campaign.

Edward Kelly, the IAFF General President, stated, "This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity." The IAFF, founded in 1918, represents 300,000 career firefighters and emergency responders across the United States and Canada.

This development comes as a potential setback for the Harris campaign, which has been relying on organized labor support to connect with working-class voters, particularly in crucial swing states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The IAFF's decision is especially noteworthy given its early endorsement of Democrat Joe Biden in 2019 during his successful challenge to then-President Donald Trump.

The IAFF's choice aligns with a recent trend among major unions. Two weeks prior, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, another significant labor organization, also opted not to endorse a presidential candidate this year. However, Vice President Harris has secured regional endorsements from Teamsters locals, representing over a million workers.

Despite this setback, Harris has garnered support from other major labor groups since becoming the Democratic nominee. These include the United Auto Workers and the AFL-CIO union federation, with which the IAFF is affiliated. The Vice President has pledged to continue many of the labor policies championed by Biden, who often describes himself as the most pro-union president in history.

The IAFF has a long history of political involvement through its political action committee, FIREPAC. It has been instrumental in advocating for firefighter safety, including pushing for presumptive disability laws and promoting cancer awareness among firefighters. The union has also been active in disaster relief efforts, notably after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

Some observers have speculated that the decision not to endorse Harris might be linked to a reluctance to accept women in key leadership roles. This theory gains traction when considering that the IAFF also refrained from endorsing Hillary Clinton in 2015.

Both presidential campaigns made personal appeals to IAFF members in August 2024, with Harris' running mate Tim Walz and Trump's running mate JD Vance addressing the union's event. Harris herself spoke at a separate IAFF legislative conference in Washington, D.C., in March 2024, before Biden withdrew from the race.

The IAFF's decision underscores the complex dynamics at play in the upcoming election. While the union's non-endorsement may impact the Harris campaign, it also reflects the organization's commitment to unity among its diverse membership. As the election approaches, the role of organized labor in shaping the political landscape remains a crucial factor to watch.

"This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity."