Working-class voters have played a significant role in helping Republicans gain ground in recent elections, expanding their coalition to include an increasing number of union members. This shift is evident in one of the recent choices made by President-elect Donald Trump for his Cabinet, which includes a GOP congresswoman known for her support from labor groups, as he aims to solidify his relationship with the working-class demographic.

Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term, even with strong backing from union members. Traditionally, these unions have been a pivotal part of the Democratic base, but in the Trump era, many have begun to lean towards the Republican Party, which has historically aligned with business interests. Trump expressed confidence in Chavez-DeRemer’s selection, stating that her support from both business and labor factions would help unite Americans behind his ambitious agenda focused on national success and prosperity.

Historically, labor unions have shown strong allegiance to Democrats while facing opposition from Republicans. However, with Trump’s appeal to populism, there has been a noticeable increase in support from union members for Republican candidates. This trend was observed even as major labor unions, such as the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers, endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

During the election cycle, Trump engaged with leaders and members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He noted after their meeting that he sensed considerable support from union members for his campaign. Although the Teamsters ultimately chose not to endorse either Trump or Harris, their leader, Sean O’Brien, had a prominent role at the Republican National Convention, indicating a closer relationship with the party.

Kara Deniz, a spokesperson for the Teamsters, mentioned that O’Brien had recently met with several House Republicans to advocate for Chavez-DeRemer as a potential labor secretary. “We believe she would be an excellent choice,” Deniz stated, showcasing the backing Chavez-DeRemer has among labor leaders. The Labor Department is responsible for crucial matters relating to wages, workplace safety, and employees’ rights to unionize, making the role of labor secretary a vital one.

On Election Day, Trump strengthened his appeal among voters without college degrees, achieving a larger portion of their votes compared to Democrat Joe Biden in the previous election. This demographic played a crucial role in Trump’s success in critical states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, despite around 18% of this election’s voters coming from union households, which predominantly leaned towards Harris.

Chavez-DeRemer was among a select group of House Republicans advocating for the “Protecting the Right to Organize” (PRO) Act, which aims to facilitate workers’ organizing efforts and impose penalties on employers that infringe upon workers’ rights. This legislation would also diminish the reach of “right-to-work” laws that enable employees in numerous states to opt out of union participation without incurring dues.

Throughout Trump’s initial term, his administration enacted policies favoring business interests, often at the expense of labor rights. While he did expand overtime rules, many labor advocates argue that these changes did not go far enough. As Trump transitions into a new administration, he is surrounding himself with officials from conservative think tanks that advocate for a stark shift away from Democratic pro-labor policies.