Chicago, IL - Teamsters Local 705 is proud to announce our endorsement of Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President in the 2024 election. This decision is not about typical party politics. It's about survival for working families, our communities, and the very foundation of workers' rights in America.
Our members come from neighborhoods where every paycheck matters. We represent over 17,000 men and women across Chicagoland, who load the trucks, who deliver the goods, who build the infrastructure that keeps this city and country moving. Our endorsement is a reflection of the kind of leadership we need in Washington. Leaders who understand what it means to fight for dignity in the workplace.
Kamala Harris isn't just a candidate, she's a fighter for working people. As Vice President, she's pushed policies to secure better wages, stronger worker protections, and expanded collective bargaining rights. In 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in the United States Senate to enact the Butch Lewis Act. This Act guaranteed the pension benefits promised to union employees across the country that were fought for during the collective bargaining process. The impact of this law was immediately felt here at home when the Central States Pension Fund received $35.8 billion in funding to prevent cuts to pension benefits owed to retirees.
Governor Tim Walz has been a champion of labor throughout his career. As a former teacher and union member, he's experienced firsthand what it means to organize and fight for the rights of working people. His leadership in Minnesota has made concrete differences for workers, from securing paid leave and unemployment compensation for school employees to banning anti-union "captive audience" meetings. Tim Walz has been with us on the frontlines, and his record speaks to his commitment to the working class.
"There is no question about who to endorse in this election," said Juan C. Campos, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 705. "Kamala Harris is the clear choice for working people. She understands our struggles and has consistently proven she will fight for us. We need leaders who put workers and families first. It's about action, and Harris and Walz are leaders who will fight alongside us."
This endorsement is about securing the future of labor. We know what it means to stand in solidarity. And now, more than ever, we need leaders who understand that the strength of our nation comes from working people-people who, day in and day out, keep this country moving. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are those leaders.
Juan C. Campos
Teamsters Local 705 Secretary-Treasurer
