Teamsters President Sean O'Brien, a 'Lifelong Democrat,' Endorses Sen. Ashley Moody Over DSA-Aligned Angie Nixon in Florida
The head of the 1.3 million-member union says he voted in Florida for the first time and cast his ballot for the Republican. He credits Moody's work on pensions, jobs and apprenticeships; Nixon answered with a photo and a jab.
Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien has endorsed Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in Florida's Senate race, a break from the Democratic lean of most national unions, Fox News reports.
What he said. "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 announced Sunday. He added that Moody "has been extremely helpful working with the Teamsters to protect workers' pensions, defend good-paying jobs, and support well-funded union apprenticeship programs," and said the union looks forward to working with her on the Senate HELP Committee to pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act.
The background. O'Brien calls himself a "lifelong Democrat" and spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, saying then that the Democratic Party had snubbed his request to speak at its own. The Teamsters have about 1.3 million members.
The response. Moody's Democratic opponent, state Rep. Angie Nixon, whose platform is considered DSA-aligned, posted a photo she once took with O'Brien and wrote that "Ashley Moody never walked the line with you." She added, "Shout out to all the rank and file Teamsters that are voting for me." Some commenters on O'Brien's post criticized him, one calling him a "scab." He also drew heat for voting in Florida, which appeared to signal a move from his hometown of Boston.
What to keep in mind. This is one union leader's personal endorsement, not a statement of how Teamsters members will vote. Fox said it asked the Teamsters and Moody's campaign for comment.