In the weekend leading up to Election Day, the General President of “North America’s Strongest Union” faced scrutiny from Florida’s Democratic U.S. Senate runner-up, Angie Nixon, after announcing his vote in the upcoming statewide election.
Sean O' Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, recently endorsed Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) in her reelection bid against Nixon, announcing he voted for the incumbent in his first vote in the state.
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
O'Brien praised Sen. Moody for her active role in protecting workers' rights and securing wins for them while in office.
"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 wrote. "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."
Sen. Moody Thanks O'Brien
Sen. Moody thanked the leader for his support and vowed to continue working for American workers and Floridian families.
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
Nixon Chides O'Brien's Decision
Nixon expressed her disapproval of O'Brien's decision, calling out the Teamsters president for voting for her opponent despite her allyship with the union, posting an image of the two side-by-side.
Ashley Moody NEVER walked the line with you @TeamsterSOB. But ok brother. Shout out to all the rank & file Teamsters that are voting for me. I will ALWAYS STAND WITH YOU! https://t.co/lSXD4hC6Qj
— State Rep. Angie Nixon (@AngieNixon) November 1, 2026
O'Brien's Previous Stances
O’Brien’s decision seems contradictory, given that Nixon herself is an active union organizer. However, O’Brien has previously shown his support for the second Trump administration’s domestic policy.
In Sept. 2026, O’Brien publicly thanked President Donald Trump for helping secure a federal film tax credit, a victory for the thousands of Americans in the film and television industry represented by the union.
O’Brien has also endorsed other Republican challengers, including Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th District and Rob Besnahan in Pennsylvania’s 8th District.
The union president’s support for Moody also appears to stray from the union’s Floridian chapters. Although they have not advocated for Nixon, several chapters, including Teamsters Local 769, 385, and 79, have mostly backed Democratic challengers for state and federal office.
