DETROIT — The United Auto Workers has launched a campaign to mobilize its million active and retired employees to vote for Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, the company said Wednesday. The move could potentially give the Democrat a boost in crucial states where the outcome is not yet entirely clear.
UAW President Shawn Fain and his administration endorsed Harris in late July, and Fain has spoken out publicly against Harris’ Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.
The UAW’s influence and membership are concentrated in Michigan, where it is based, as well as Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania. These are important swing states that could influence the outcome of the election.
In 2020, UAW membership was 9.2% of the U.S. President Joe Biden voting in Michigan only, the union said in its statement. It said its strategy in this election will involve engaging members online, in workplaces and door-to-door outreach.
The UAW would not say how much money would be spent on the campaign, but a source familiar with the program said millions of dollars would be spent.
Fain met Harris and her vice presidential candidate Tim Walz at two campaign rallies in Detroit last week.
According to polling firm Edison Research, Michigan households with a union member were more likely to vote Democrat than union households nationwide in the last three U.S. presidential elections. In Michigan, those households are more likely to vote Democratic than non-union households.
On Tuesday, the UAW filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board against Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk There were alleged attempts to threaten and intimidate employees.
During a conversation between the two men on social media platform X on Monday night, Trump complimented the CEO on his ability to cut costs, saying he would not tolerate workers going on strike. Musk chuckled but did not respond to Trump’s comments.
Harris’ entry into the presidential race since Biden left office last month has galvanized Democrats, and she now holds a narrow lead over Trump nationally, though polls show the election remains neck-and-neck.
Trump, who in previous elections drew support from white, working-class voters who would normally be Democratic supporters, has now also won the support of some UAW members, who say the former president’s record on trade and taxes is more favorable to the auto industry than that of his Democratic opponent.
Some unions, such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have not yet endorsed a candidate. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien spoke at the Republican National Convention in July.