With the next U.S. Presidential election right around the corner, many executives, celebrities, and other folks are throwing their support behind one of the two candidates – Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris – which is par for the course. In the automotive world, the ramifications of the election figure to be rather impactful this time around given the very different policies each candidate is proposing, but it seems as if one former Ford CEO has already made his choice.
That former CEO is Alan Mulally, who has endorsed Harris as his pick for president, according to CNBC. He’s among a large group of current and former executives who have officially thrown their support behind the Vice President via a new letter, many of whom are former CEOs of major corporations. “The best way to support the continued strength, security, and reliability of our democracy and economy” is by electing Harris, the letter reads, adding that these businesspeople believe she would “continue to advance fair and predictable policies that support the rule of law, stability, and a sound business environment.”
For Mulally, specifically, this represents an interesting about-face after the former Blue Oval executive was previously rumored to be in consideration for a position in Trump’s cabinet back when he was President-elect in 2016. Regardless, the United Auto Workers union (UAW) has also thrown its support behind the Democratic candidate, as has historically been the case with a party that’s long backed unions in general.
As for current Ford CEO Jim Farley, he hasn’t publicly endorsed either candidate, and he’s probably unlikely to do so for a number of reasons, aside from the divisiveness such a move tends to cause with any company’s customer base. Farley is also currently focused on a rapid expansion in terms of Chinese automakers moving into other global markets, as well as the implications that could come from either candidate’s election.
