WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (Reuters) - The International Association of Fire Fighters announced on Thursday that it will not endorse a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, a decision viewed as a setback for Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign. The union, representing 300,000 career firefighters and emergency responders, voted against an endorsement by a narrow margin of 1.2%, according to General President Edward Kelly.
Kelly stated, "This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity." The outcome is particularly significant for Harris, who is relying on support from organized labor to connect with working-class voters in crucial swing states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
The firefighters' decision follows a similar announcement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest unions in the U.S., which also opted not to endorse a candidate in this election cycle. While Harris has received backing from other major labor organizations, including the United Auto Workers and the AFL-CIO, the lack of endorsement from the fire fighters union marks a notable challenge for her campaign strategy.
Harris has committed to continuing many of the labor policies championed by President Biden, who has positioned himself as a strong advocate for unions. This latest development raises questions about the support she may garner from labor groups as the election approaches.