Hoffa aggressively backed his running mate, endorsing him in a glossy campaign mailer that was sent to every Local 667 member. But Hoffa’s support proved to be the kiss of death.
Three of the four members of the losing slate are Hoffa appointees.
“Teamsters here in Memphis don’t want Hoffa or anyone associated with him” said K.W. Phillips, a Roadway driver and newly elected convention delegate. “They thought that Hoffa’s support would boost him up. Instead it dragged them down.”