A leader of the Boilermakers union pushed back against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s claim that members “overwhelmingly endorse” him.
“The other day, I’m watching the debate, and I see Joe Biden tell everybody that the Boilermakers endorsed him, and that is not true,” Boilermakers Local 154 union leader John Hughes said this weekend, according to Breitbart News. “And I would like somebody to tell me who — he said he talked to somebody — I’d like to know who he talked to in the Boilermakers because anybody I talk to did not endorse him.”
“And I believe if you go onto our International [Boilermakers] website, we have not endorsed a candidate this round, nor did the International Boilermakers endorse a candidate last time,” Hughes added. “We did not endorse Obama and Joe Biden last time because of their energy issues.”
During his town hall event last week, Biden claimed he has the union’s support.
“The Boilermakers overwhelmingly endorse me, OK?” Biden said. “So the Boilermakers union has endorsed me because I sat down with them, went into great detail with leadership, exactly what I would do, No. 1.”
As Hughes pointed out, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has not endorsed anyone on its website.
Hughes and Local 154, however, endorsed President Trump in September. Local 154 represents thousands in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.
“It is with great honor that I write this letter to endorse your campaign as you run for re-election of the President of the United States,” Hughes wrote in September. “I am happy to support your administration as you have proven to be a true friend of the Boilermakers, and I wish you the best of luck in your campaign.”
Others joined Hughes in condemning Biden on the false claim.
“I couldn’t believe it when Joe Biden blatantly lied at a town hall right here in Pennsylvania and said he was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Boilermakers,” former Pennsylvania Rep. Lou Barletta said.
Another Biden lie. He claimed the Boilermakers endorsed him.
They didn’t.
The national union hasn’t endorsed anyone & the Boilermakers Local 154 – largest in the country – endorsed President Trump.
Biden lied about this when pressed on banning fracking.https://t.co/moLWmxUlbf
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) October 18, 2020
Pennsylvania boilermakers call out Joe Biden for lying about their endorsement during his ABC town hall.https://t.co/VVnStkwFat
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) October 18, 2020
Believe the Boilermakers union and not your lying eyes.
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) October 16, 2020
