The recent 2024 United States Presidential Election has been marked by significant shifts and challenges, particularly within the Democratic Party, following the decisive victory of former President Donald Trump. While Trump regained the White House, Democratic leaders are grappling with internal divisions sparked by the election results, particularly surrounding the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris, who faced intense scrutiny and allegations of sexism during her campaign.
Harris’s campaign, which was expected to galvanize support for women in politics, instead led to sobering realizations about the state of gender bias among voters. Despite her efforts, she garnered the lowest support from female voters for any Democratic nominee since 2004, according to analyses. A majority of white women continued to back Trump, highlighting the difficulties women candidates face.
After the election, Liz Shuler, the first woman elected to lead the American Federation of Labour, expressed concern over the future of female nominees. “People feel pretty stung by what happened,” she said, referencing Harris’s underwhelming performance amid party expectations. There is now trepidation over whether another woman might be the Democratic nominee for the 2028 elections, with some advocates quietly wishing for the party to avoid repeating past mistakes.
The political scene is even more complicated with labor leaders like Shawn Fain, President of the United Auto Workers (UAW), publicly backing Harris and criticizing Trump. His vocal opposition to the former president has positioned him as both a celebrated and targeted figure. “Both parties share blame for the one-sided class war,” Fain remarked post-election, reinforcing his stance on labor issues beyond political alliances.
Fain's rise within the union, underscored by his success against long-standing leadership and innovative strategies during strikes, has made him both popular and controversial. He has fought against powerful adversaries, including Trump supporters within his own membership. This division adds layers to his leadership as Fain aims to unify workers around labor issues regardless of the election outcome.
Electoral dynamics also revealed alarming trends for Democrats. The growth of Trump’s support among union households was particularly noted, with about 45% of voters from households with union members casting ballots for him, up from previous election cycles. A UAW poll showed majority support for Harris among its members, but the substantial percentage of undecided voters painted a troubling picture for party unity.
Meanwhile, other unions such as the Teamsters have aligned themselves with Trump, indicating broader political currents within labor organizations. Teamsters’ President Sean O'Brian's appearance at the Republican Convention illustrated the warming relations between some unions and the former president, contrasting sharply with Fain’s approach.
Even as immediate workplace issues pervaded discussions—such as UAW’s future negotiations with Stellantis—there is pressure for labor leaders to navigate both internal dissent and external political landscapes. Fain's strident accusations against Trump showcased his efforts to align the labor movement with broader economic rights issues, saying, “What we achieve at the bargaining table can be taken away in the halls of Congress.”
Some Democrats believe successful female candidates must possess strong political brands similar to leaders like Margaret Thatcher, who was seen as tough. Senator Susan Collins suggested Republican women might be perceived as stronger on national defense, indicating inherent biases voters carry. While prominent female candidates are advocating for change, they face deep-seated cultural perceptions about women leading the nation.
The road to potential female presidential candidates remains fraught with historical challenges, as past nominees, including Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, are often recalled as similar cautionary tales. Political luminaries now voice fears over repeating mistakes made during previous campaigns, with Senator Baldwin acknowledging more traditional political factors may play larger roles than gender itself.
Women's electorates remain cautious. Amanda Hunter, executive director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, observed, “Voters were more worried about issues like the economy or immigration... less concerned with the vice-president’s gender and race.” This sentiment suggests the need for future candidates to address pressing issues impacting voters without leaning heavily on gender narratives.
Harris and the Democrats will also contend with criticisms surrounding her choice of running mates, particularly Tim Walz, who has been described as relatively inexperienced. Such decisions have ignited discussions on the strategy of female candidates vs. their male counterparts, particularly focusing on perceived vulnerabilities.
While Democrats reassess their strategies to combat bias and bolster support for female candidates, they also confront external realities. The results not only indicate the importance of gender representation but also the underlying economic anxieties driving voters' choices during elections.
The intersection of gender, politics, and labor will undoubtedly shape the roadmap for future elections and leadership roles. The aftermath of the 2024 election leaves the Democratic Party with significant rebuilding to do, as it balances diverse perspectives and the need for stronger, unified strategies moving toward 2028 and beyond.
