IAFF Withholds Endorsement in 2024

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has made the decision not to endorse any presidential candidate for the 2024 election.

At a Glance

The IAFF decided against endorsing a presidential candidate by a vote margin of 1.2%.
Representing over 350,000 firefighters and emergency workers, this decision mirrors the nation’s divisive political climate.
This decision is viewed as a setback for Vice President Kamala Harris, whom the IAFF previously supported by endorsing Joe Biden in 2020.
Both political campaigns had attempted to sway the IAFF during a convention held in Boston in August.

IAFF’s Decision Reflects National Division

The IAFF, representing more than 350,000 firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical workers, announced their decision not to endorse any candidate in the upcoming presidential election. This decision was the outcome of a narrow vote by the executive board, with just a 1.2% margin. The choice to abstain from endorsement results from the current intense and divisive political climate in the nation, which its members believe can lead to division within its ranks.

Despite multiple pleas from both presidential campaigns at a convention in Boston, the IAFF decided to maintain neutrality. The union aims to promote unity and reinforce a more effective advocacy role for its members by avoiding partial endorsements. Edward Kelly, IAFF’s leader, urged its members to be actively engaged in the upcoming election, stressing the importance of individual participation even without a formal endorsement.

Major firefighters union declines to endorse a presidential candidate for 2024 https://t.co/YMvKR7jHSd

— Just the News (@JustTheNews) October 3, 2024

Implications of Non-Endorsement

The decision represents a political setback for Kamala Harris since the IAFF endorsed her running mate, Joe Biden, in the 2020 election. The Trump campaign described the non-endorsement as a “crushing blow” to Harris’ campaign. Historically, the IAFF has shown democratic preferences, notably drawing criticisms from then-President Trump in 2019 when the union’s leadership backed Democratic candidates.

In parallel, the Teamsters union recently opted not to endorse a candidate, with a survey revealing a 60% preference for Trump among its members compared to Harris. This pattern of non-endorsement underlines a growing trend where unions recognize the increasingly divided sentiment among their constituents and choose neutrality to preserve unity within their ranks.

Looking Ahead to 2024 Election

The IAFF’s decision is not unprecedented, having similarly refrained from endorsing a candidate in the 2016 presidential race. As political landscapes evolve and become increasingly fractured, unions like the IAFF weigh the complexities of playing a role in such polarized times. While the AFL-CIO and United Auto Workers unions have endorsed Harris, the IAFF’s stance might be indicative of a broader shift in union political strategies.

This neutrality by the International Association of Fire Fighters reflects enduring concerns about internal division prevalent in many unions today. As Edward Kelly highlighted during the IAFF’s latest convention, staying united as a union and fostering participation in nationwide democratic processes remains paramount as the nation approaches the 2024 elections.