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Teamsters Renew GOP Giving While Sustaining Six-Figure Democratic Donations

President Sean O’Brien frames the mixed contributions as a strategic hedge after accusing Democrats of forgetting working-class interests.

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Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien speaks during a rally with workers and union members as part of an "Amazon Teamsters Day of Solidarity" in support of the unionization and collective bargaining of Amazon delivery drivers at the Teamsters Local 848 on August 29, 2024 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The DRIVE PAC has donated nearly $70,000 to Republican recipients so far in 2025, including $5,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and about $62,000 to roughly two dozen GOP House members.
  • At the same time, the PAC awarded $200,000 to the Democratic Attorneys General Association and $100,000 to the Democratic Governors Association during the second fundraising quarter.
  • This marks the second consecutive cycle in which the Teamsters have given to Republican campaigns after almost two decades of exclusively supporting Democratic candidates.
  • O’Brien has publicly criticized Democratic leaders for abandoning working-class voters and argues that the union’s bipartisan giving reflects the diverse interests of its 1.3 million members.
  • Republican strategists view the donations as evidence of growing labor support ahead of the midterms, while Democratic critics warn the shift could undermine the party’s hold on key working-class constituencies.