Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers union, secured re-election to a four-year term with more than 68% of the vote in balloting that concluded on 6 October. Thirteen additional candidates on his slate, United UAW, also won their respective elections. His closest opponent, Rich Boyer, received just over 13% of the vote.
Fain issued a statement following his victory, stating that union members had demonstrated unified support for his continued leadership and their desire to pursue ongoing campaigns. He referenced upcoming contract negotiations scheduled for 2027 at John Deere, Volvo and General Dynamics Land Systems, as well as major contract expirations set for May Day in 2028 with the big three automakers.
The election period occurred amid legal scrutiny of Fain. In July 2026, the Department of Justice announced an investigation into allegations that Fain pressured another union official, Boyer, to provide benefits to his fiancee and sister, and subsequently retaliated when Boyer declined to cooperate. Fain disputed these allegations, characterizing them as an attempt to interfere with the election process. Tensions also emerged regarding the union’s independent monitor, Neil Barofsky, whom Fain claimed was being weaponized by his re-election opponent. The monitor faced separate accusations of pressuring Fain over the UAW’s adoption of a ceasefire resolution regarding Gaza.
Fain was first elected to the union presidency as a reform candidate in March 2023. During his tenure, he led the union through a strike lasting approximately six weeks from September 2023 through October 2023 against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, emphasizing allegations of corporate excess and citing company stock buyback programs and profit levels.
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