One of America’s most powerful labor leaders has thrown his personal support behind a Republican senator just days before Election Day, breaking with the Democratic Party’s traditional hold on organized labor.
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien announced Sunday that he voted for Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in Florida’s closely watched Senate race, choosing the GOP incumbent over Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon.
The announcement drew immediate attention because O’Brien, who leads a union representing approximately 1.3 million workers, has previously described himself as a lifelong Democrat.
“Just voted in the State of Florida for the first time, and very proud to have cast a ballot for Sen. Ashley Moody,” O’Brien wrote on X.
The union leader credited Moody with supporting issues important to Teamsters members, including retirement security, employment opportunities and workforce training.
“Sen. Moody has been extremely helpful working with the Teamsters to protect workers’ pensions, defend good-paying jobs, and support well-funded union apprenticeship programs.”
O’Brien also pointed to the senator’s position on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee as an opportunity to advance legislation supported by the union.
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“The Teamsters look forward to working with Sen. Moody in her role on the Senate HELP Committee to pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act and get this critical legislation signed into law to protect American workers,” he added.
The endorsement represents another notable departure from the assumption that major labor leaders will automatically back Democratic candidates.
However, O’Brien’s announcement was a personal endorsement, not a formal declaration that the entire Teamsters organization was backing Moody.
The distinction matters because the union’s members hold differing political views, and its leadership has increasingly demonstrated a willingness to work with Republicans on specific labor priorities.
O’Brien previously made headlines when he addressed the 2024 Republican National Convention, an unusual appearance for the leader of a major labor union.
At the time, he said Democrats had rejected his request to speak at their national convention.
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The Teamsters president defended his willingness to engage with both political parties rather than restrict the union’s relationships to one side of the aisle.
“If the far-left want to criticize me and attack me, that’s OK. If the far-right wants to do the same, that’s great. I represent 1.3 million hardworking men and women,” O’Brien said at the time.
Ashley Moody, Florida’s former attorney general, welcomed Sunday’s announcement and emphasized her work on issues affecting American workers.
“I’ll always fight to protect hardworking Americans, strengthen good-paying jobs, and ensure resources are available to train our next generation. It’s been great to deliver for Florida’s working families,” the Republican senator said.
Moody was appointed to the Senate by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2025 following Marco Rubio’s departure to become secretary of state.
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She now faces Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat whose campaign has attracted support from prominent progressive figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
Nixon, whose political positions have been described as aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, wasted little time responding to O’Brien’s decision.
The Democratic nominee posted a photograph of herself alongside the Teamsters president and challenged his support for Moody.
“Ashley Moody never walked the line with you,” Nixon wrote.
“But ok brother. Shout out to all the rank and file Teamsters that are voting for me. I will always stand with you,” she added.
O’Brien also faced criticism from some union supporters who questioned his decision to vote in Florida and his backing of a Republican candidate.
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One commenter accused the labor leader of moving to a state with a political environment considered unfavorable to organized labor.
“Be union leader — move to a famously anti-union state — vote for a famously anti-union candidate — Brag about it — really cool stuff man,” the commenter wrote.
Other critics labeled O’Brien a “scab,” a term traditionally used in labor disputes to describe someone who crosses a picket line.
Despite the backlash, O’Brien’s public support for Moody reflects his willingness to work across party lines on legislation he believes would benefit union members.
His endorsement also highlights an ongoing debate within organized labor over whether Democratic candidates should continue receiving its support by default.
With Election Day set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, Moody and Nixon are making their final appeals to Florida voters.
O’Brien’s announcement adds an unexpected development to the closing days of the contest, placing the head of one of the country’s largest unions publicly behind a Republican incumbent.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
