A trucking company owner who appears as a frequent guest on Fox News claims that truckers are largely supporting Trump, mostly due to concerns over costs.
Mike Kucharski, co-owner and vice president of JKC Trucking in Chicago, says that truck drivers are largely in favor of Trump this election season for four main reasons: costs, increased regulations, infrastructure, and electric semi truck performance.
“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 in an interview with Fox News Digital. “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.”
As far as costs go, “truckers are already struggling to stay afloat due to issues like skyrocketing diesel costs. It’s pouring [sic.] 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.”
The trucking industry as a whole is very concerned about the upcoming electric semi truck mandates being pushed by the Biden-Harris administration, Kucharski explains. “The 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,” Kucharski said.
“Trump has a little different perspective. 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,” he 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.”
Jeremy Kirkpatrick, spokesman for American Trucking Associations, says that the ATA is not in support of any particular candidate, and will work with whoever gets towards the best interests of the trucking industry.
“The American Trucking Associations 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 said.