Teamsters Chief Backs Moody in Florida Senate Race
Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien announced on X that he is voting for Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in Florida's special election.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Unions
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Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien announced his vote for Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in Florida's special U.S. Senate election, marking his first vote in the state. O'Brien said the union looks forward to working with Moody on the Faster Labor Contracts Act.
Why it matters
The endorsement highlights labor's interest in the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which passed the House in June and would set strict timelines for first union contracts after a representation election. Florida voters will decide who completes the remainder of Marco Rubio's term.
Moody was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2025 and is seeking election to complete Marco Rubio's term through January 2029. The Faster Labor Contracts Act passed the House in June and awaits Senate action.
The players
Sean O'Brien
Sean O'Brien is the General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a major U.S. labor union representing transportation and warehouse workers.
Ashley Moody
Ashley Moody is a Republican U.S. senator from Florida who was appointed to the seat in 2025 and is now seeking election to it.
Angie Nixon
Angie Nixon is a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives running against Moody in the Senate race.
The details
O'Brien announced the vote on X, and Moody replied that she was proud to have his support. O'Brien said Moody has helped the union protect workers' pensions, defend good-paying jobs and support apprenticeship programs, while Nixon countered that Moody had never walked a picket line with him.
Timeline
January 2025: DeSantis appoints Moody to the Senate seat.
June: The Faster Labor Contracts Act passes the House.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: O'Brien announces his vote for Moody.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Florida special Senate election takes place.
Political Context
Moody's support from Teamsters leadership rests on the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which passed the House in June and would impose binding arbitration if first-contract talks stall. Opposition to the endorsement centers on Nixon's argument that Moody's labor credentials are thin.
Florida voters decide Tuesday, November 3, 2026, whether Moody completes Rubio's term through January 2029. Union members in the state will weigh the Teamsters' endorsement alongside the Faster Labor Contracts Act's proposed first-contract timelines.
The takeaway
Labor endorsements in close statewide races can turn on a single pending bill, so voters tracking union politics should watch whether the Faster Labor Contracts Act advances in the Senate.
What happens next
Florida's special U.S. Senate election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more on Unions in Florida politics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vinnews.
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