Why truckers back Trump: ‘Speaking our language’

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A trucking company executive revealed that many in the industry will be backing former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, citing concerns about how they would fare differently under Democrats.

Mike Kucharski, co-owner and vice president of JKC Trucking, told Fox News Digital that “policies are the gateway to truckers’ vote,” laying out reasons why the bulk of truckers will be supporting the Republican nominee over Vice President Kamala Harris. Those reasons include “costs, increased regulatory burdens, infrastructure, driving range of the trucks and less cargo capacity due to the battery,” Fox News noted.

“I personally don’t vote along party lines, but I support candidates with policies. And I would say policies are the gateway to truckers’ vote — policies that help small business thrive,” Kucharski said. “Right now, a lot of small business owners in the trucking industry are seriously concerned about Kamala Harris’ impact on our industry if she takes office.”

(Video Credit: Fox News Digital)

“Truckers are already struggling to stay afloat due to issues like skyrocketing diesel costs. It’s pouring too much for diesel. Truckers are driving less miles, paying more for fuel,” he said. “Another blow to truckers is this increased regulatory burdens. Truckers are overregulated.”

While he believes truckers generally support the idea of electric trucks, the VP of Chicago’s largest specialty contract carrier noted that the current administration under Harris and President Joe Biden is pushing mandates that cannot be sustained.

“Harris’ campaign told Fox News Digital that she does not support electric vehicle mandates. However, the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a final rule in March to require up to two-thirds of all new car sales to be electric by 2032. The agency also set a goal to require 40% of heavy-duty trucks to be zero-emissions by 2032,” Fox News reported.

Kucharski contends that “small trucking companies simply can’t absorb these extreme costs.”

“And people are saying the larger companies could do it. But I think they’re going to have an issue. It’s a great idea, but I don’t think it’s going to work,” he added.

“Trump has a little different perspective,” he said. “Donald Trump, during COVID, brought truckers to the White House and thanked them for being essential workers.”

“Truckers really have hope that he’ll walk back on just some of these regulations because we’re overregulating the trucking business,” Kucharski said. “Truckers are very excited because when Trump was talking about the economic plan, he brought up tariffs. And Trump is saying that he wants to bring more businesses, more production back into the U.S., which would be awesome.”

The United Auto Workers union endorsed Harris in July, saying that “our job in this election is to defeat Donald Trump and elect Kamala Harris to build on her proven track record of delivering for the working class.”

Brian Pannebecker, founder of Auto Workers for Trump 2024, sees a turnout for Trump at the polls.

“The Democrats have been shipping our jobs to Mexico and China for over 40 years, so this process has just come to a head now with Donald Trump, and he’s speaking our language. He knows what we want to hear, that he’s going to protect our industry before it completely disappears, and we’re going to vote for him in big numbers. I’m saying 65% to 70% of the UAW members are pulling the lever for Donald J. Trump,” Pannebecker recently told Fox Business’ “The Bottom Line.”

Jeremy Kirkpatrick, spokesman for American Trucking Associations (ATA), said they will “remain at the table” regardless of who wins the election.

“The American Trucking Association works with any officeholder who is willing to work with us. Regardless of the outcome, ATA will remain at the table and continue to advocate for commonsense, pro-trucking policies that strengthen the supply chain, grow the economy, and deliver for the American people,” he told Fox News.

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.