By Nandita Bose
WASHINGTON (Multibagger) - The International Association of Fire Fighters on Thursday said it will not make a presidential endorsement, in what was widely viewed as a blow to Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.
The union, which represents 300,000 career firefighters and emergency responders, determined "by a margin of 1.2%" against picking a candidate, General President Edward Kelly said in a statement.
"This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity," Kelly said.
The decision is a setback for the Harris campaign, which is relying on organized labor to boost its outreach to working-class voters, particularly in the key swing states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
It is also notable because the union was the first to endorse Democrat Joe Biden at the outset of his successful challenge to Republican then-President Donald Trump in 2019.
The firefighters decision comes two weeks after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the nation's largest unions, announced it would not endorse a candidate in the presidential race this year.
The vice president has earned the support of several other major organized labor groups since she replaced Biden on the Democratic ticket, including the United Auto Workers and the AFL-CIO union federation.
Harris has pledged to carry on with many of the same labor policies as Biden, who often touts himself as the most pro-union president in history.
**Analysis:**
The International Association of Fire Fighters' decision not to endorse a presidential candidate has delivered a blow to Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign. This setback affects Harris's outreach to working-class voters in crucial swing states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The absence of endorsement from the union, which previously supported Joe Biden, highlights challenges for Harris in securing organized labor backing. Despite gaining support from other major labor groups, Harris faces obstacles in maintaining unity and leveraging labor support for the upcoming election. This development underscores the significance of organized labor in shaping political campaigns and emphasizes the complexities of aligning with diverse union interests. For individuals following the election, understanding the impact of such endorsements or lack thereof can provide insights into candidate strategies, voter perceptions, and potential election outcomes.