Politico report: UAW will endorse Harris after call mends rift between Fain and Biden

WASHINGTON — The Detroit-based UAW is expected to formally endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The endorsement was expected in the coming days, the report said. Harris and UAW President Shawn Fain held a call last week that was "crucial to mending a previously unreported rift between Biden and Fain," Politico said.

The union had endorsed President Joe Biden, but as doubts about his viability as a candidate swirled following his stumbling debate performance on June 27, Fain was reported to have met with the UAW Executive Board to consider possible options. The report said Fain had been angry that Biden did not reach out after concerns blossomed about the debate.

Biden announced on July 21 he was withdrawing from the race and endorsed Harris, but the UAW, while remaining highly critical of Republican nominee Donald Trump, has not endorsed Harris.

The UAW immediately thanked Biden, who was the first president to walk a picket line with strikers when he came to Detroit during the union's fall strike, for his “incredible term of service” that also highlighted the union’s concerns about Trump. That statement, while not offering specific support for Harris, made sure to mention her pro-labor efforts as it was making its broader points.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Politico: UAW to endorse Harris within days