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By Natalie Venegas
Weekend Reporter
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Vice President Kamala Harris was endorsed for president on Monday by the nation's largest hospitality workers' union, UNITE HERE.
Harris, who became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden stepped down from the race on July 21, has garnered widespread support from Democratic officials and key political groups as she is expected to face off against former President Donald Trump.
UNITE HERE, a labor union that represents 300,000 working people across Canada and the United States, announced their endorsement of Harris on Monday and cited the vice president's commitment to working people and the labor movement for their decision.
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The Associated Press (AP) reported the endorsement also directly challenges Trump's recent promise to eliminate taxes on tips for restaurant and hotel workers, a strategy seemingly aimed at courting voters who work in the hospitality sector.
Newsweek reached out to Harris' campaign and UNITE HERE via email on Monday for comment.
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According to the AP, the endorsement includes a commitment from the union's members to actively campaign for Harris by knocking on more than 3.3 million doors in crucial battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina.
Battleground states will play a key role in determining the result of the election due to the Electoral College, which awards each state a certain number of electoral votes based on population. A presidential candidate needs to secure 270 electoral votes for victory and winning the national popular vote does not guarantee success.
According to the press release, UNITE HERE's political program is known for "delivering close elections in key battleground states."
Announcing the endorsement of Harris, UNITE HERE President Gwen Mills warned against Trump's leadership and said Harris will "move forward" the union's goals of securing good wages and benefits.
"Our members cannot afford to go back to Donald Trump's disastrous leadership. Another Trump presidency would mean four chaotic years of defending against his attacks on unions, working people, immigrants, women, and others," Mills said in a press release.
Mills added, "With Kamala Harris as President, workers will continue to move forward, organize their workplaces, and secure good wages and benefits. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to labor rights and social justice, ensuring that every worker has a fair shot at the American dream."
As for Trump's pledge to hospitality workers, he proposed excluding tips from federal income taxes during a June 9 rally in Nevada. The proposal garnered bipartisan interest with both of Nevada's Democratic senators, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, expressing support.
"To those hotel workers and people who get tips, you are going to be very happy, because when I get to office we are going to not charge taxes on tips, people making tips," Trump said at the June rally.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has advocated for a higher minimum wage for tipped workers, arguing that it would provide more substantial financial security.
Speaking with the AP, Mills dismissed Trump's proposal as a "play" for votes while praising Harris for her long-standing support of unions.
The AFL-CIO, of which UNITE HERE is a member, has also endorsed Harris following their previous support for Biden. Additionally, the United Auto Workers formally endorsed Harris last week.
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