Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien delivered a jolt to the political establishment over the weekend by endorsing Republican Sen. Ashley Moody of Florida. The backing represented a notable break from national union sentiment that has generally favored Democrats.

O’Brien leads one of the nation’s oldest and largest unions. The Teamsters is 123 years old and has about 1.3 million members, giving his surprise intervention considerable weight as the election approached.

“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.

The endorsement also revealed that O’Brien had voted in Florida for the first time. That apparent move away from his hometown of Boston quickly drew criticism from some commenters responding to his announcement.

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O’Brien credited Moody with working alongside the Teamsters on several union priorities. Those issues included pensions, jobs, and apprenticeship programs intended to train workers.

“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 Moody’s position on the Senate HELP Committee and expressed interest in working with her to advance the Faster Labor Contracts Act.

“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.

Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien here. Just voted in the State of Florida for the first time, and very proud to have cast a ballot for @SenAshleyMoody. 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. 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.

— Sean M. O'Brien (@TeamsterSOB) November 1, 2026

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The endorsement adds another chapter to O’Brien’s increasingly unpredictable political profile. The self described “lifelong Democrat” previously addressed the 2024 Republican National Convention after emphasizing that the Democratic Party had rejected his request to speak at its convention.

“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.

O’Brien also famously nearly came to blows with Markwayne Mullin during a Senate hearing before the two ultimately became acquaintances. Mullin is now Secretary of Homeland Security, and O’Brien discussed supporting his nomination during an appearance on “The Will Cain Show.”

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Moody, who formerly served as Florida’s state attorney general, said she was proud to receive the Teamsters leader’s endorsement. Her statement focused on workers, employment, and training resources.

“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,” Moody said.

I’m proud to have the support of the Teamsters General President @Teamstersob Sean O’Brien!

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! — Ashley Moody (@AshleyMoodyFL) November 1, 2026

Democratic nominee Angie Nixon, a state lawmaker from Jacksonville whose platform is considered aligned with DSA, responded by posting a photograph she had previously taken with O’Brien. She wrote that “Ashley Moody never walked the line with you.”

“But ok brother. Shout out to all the rank and file Teamsters that are voting for me. I will always stand with you,” Nixon wrote on X.

Nixon advanced to a high profile November Senate contest against Moody. Her response attempted to distinguish O’Brien’s personal endorsement from the preferences of Teamsters members who support the Democratic nominee.

Other critics focused on O’Brien’s decision to vote in Florida. One leading commenter wrote, “Be union leader — move to a famously anti-union state — vote for a famously anti-union candidate — Brag about it — really cool stuff man.”

Some commenters also described O’Brien as a “scab,” union terminology for someone who crosses a strike picket line and returns to work for the company involved in the labor dispute.

The endorsement arrived with polls scheduled to open nationwide within a matter of hours, making O’Brien’s announcement a striking final development before voting.

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