Despite the 2020 U.S. presidential election being one of the most contentious in recent history, it is evident that key figures emerged who significantly impacted the final results. Among such figures was a union leader and electrician from Michigan named Rory Gamble. Not as widely known as politicians or celebrities, Gamble, the first African American President of United Auto Workers (UAW), was instrumental in driving support for President Biden in Michigan.
Gamble’s journey to union leadership was unorthodox. He didn’t ascend the ranks from a fancy office or posh background. Instead, his pathway was paved in the composition of grit, hard work, and conviction. As a teenager, Gamble started work as a welder fixture repairman in Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan plant. His mother, a hardworking laundry worker, instilled in him an unshakeable work ethic and the belief that he could achieve anything he set his mind to. This early education in resilience would eventually pave the way for his role in the presidential election.
For many who were lucky to start in an industry with a strong union backbone, like car manufacturing, chances for growth and stability were considerably higher. This truth was no different for Gamble. As he worked through the ranks at Ford, his leadership skills and noteworthy dedication to the welfare of the workforce did not go unnoticed. He was elected to represent the UAW Local 600 union before becoming the first African American President of the UAW in 2018.
Under Gamble’s leadership, the UAW has seen significant implications. The UAW, representing more than 400,000 active members within the auto industry and more than 580,000 retired members, is a force to reckon with in the manufacturing scene. With the US auto industry featuring prominently in Michigan, the influence of UAW within the state is overwhelmingly high.
One of Gamble’s main ethos is using the collective power of the union to have a far-reaching positive impact. This was highlighted in the union’s involvement in the political scene during the Presidential election, particularly in Michigan. Historically, Michigan, a swing state in the U.S. elections, has a significant role in determining the next occupant of the White House.
In 2016, President Trump won Michigan by the slimmest of margins, which was viewed as a result of declining union strength and working-class voters who felt ignored by the Democratic establishment. However, in the 2020 election, the tides shifted remarkably, with President Biden narrowly winning the state.
This swing was in part due to Gamble’s union leadership, and his push for member engagement with the Biden campaign. Gamble, a proponent of Biden’s labor record, urged his union members to vote for Biden, stating that the ex-Senator from Delaware’s support for the auto industry and working people in general was unparalleled.
Under Gamble’s leadership, UAW successfully mobilized their members to cast their vote, showing up in large numbers on election day in Michigan. This involvement made a significant contribution to Biden’s thin victory margin in the state.
To conclude, Rory Gamble’s impact on the direction of the U.S. presidential elections was more subtle but just as consequential as any major political player. His leadership of the UAW led to a surge in working-class votes for President Joe Biden in Michigan, an instrumental factor in Biden’s overall victory.