United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain claimed reelection early Friday evening with his United UAW slate of candidates poised to sweep the International Executive Board positions in the Detroit-based union's second-ever direct election of leaders, according to preliminary results.

Fain led against five other challengers, including Vice President Rich Boyer, according to the vote counts posted on the UAW's federal court-appointed monitor who has been charged with overseeing the election. It appeared Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell would replace Margaret Mock as secretary-treasurer.

Meanwhile for the three vice president roles, Laura Dickerson led in her reelection bid. Kevin Gotinsky, a top administrative assistant who previously led the Stellantis Department when Boyer was stripped of the duty, and Ryan Hiestand, a Region 2B servicing representative, were behind her. They were positioned to replace Boyer and Mike Booth, who was trailing in the count.

The clear support for Fain and his slate in the election stood in contrast to the narrow victory the president had over incumbent Ray Curry in a runoff vote in 2023. That vote came after the UAW implemented direct elections for the first time following a referendum vote by the members required by a federal consent decree induced by a corruption scandal that entangled two former UAW presidents.

“The membership has spoken. UAW members are united and want us to keep fighting and building on what we’ve done," Fain said in a statement. "These results are about taking on Corporate America and reversing the worst out of control wealth inequality in America’s history. We are fighting for the entire working class, whether that’s at the bargaining table, organizing new members, or in the political arena.”

This year's election followed record contracts for employees at the Detroit Three automakers in 2023, a major Volkswagen AG organizing victory in Tennessee in 2024 and growth in the union's membership. Fain's support came despite determinations by the union's monitor of retaliation by Fain, a reported U.S. Justice Department grand jury investigation into Fain, a failed organizing vote in 2024 at a Mercedes-Benz Group AG plant in Alabama and support for the U.S. presidential bid of Democrat Kamala Harris, who lost to Donald Trump in 2024.

"He has a clear mandate for his leadership, particularly in light of the trouble he’s been in with the monitor and widespread suspicion it could interfere with this election," said Marick Masters, management professor emeritus for Wayne State University. "Evidently, it has not done that."

The election comes as the labor movement and automotive industry faces significant challenges. The growth of artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce and workplace, disrupting jobs in some cases and paving the way for greater automation. Meanwhile, changes in trade policy are reshaping automotive footprints, reshoring some production, though often with greater robotics. Revoked federal plug-in vehicle incentives have slowed electric vehicle adoption, but low-cost EV offerings from Chinese brands remain a global competitive threat to Detroit's automakers.

All of that could put the companies in a delicate position in 2028 when the UAW's contracts with General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler and Jeep parent Stellantis NV are set to expire, Masters said. But the reelection of Fain suggests members are expecting more in the next round of negotiations, betting on his willingness to communicate openly with members during Facebook livestreams and use antagonizing tactics like donning an "Eat the Rich" T-shirt.

Fain has said he wants to build on momentum of the past few years under his leadership, as the UAW won record contracts, organized prominent plants, and helped raise the labor movement's national profile.

"The union is going to insist on getting a lot," Masters said, noting the increasingly idealistic and socialistic voices within the Democratic Party. "It may under the current circumstances end up being a heavier lift (for the automakers) than those (contracts) in 2023."

The wrinkle in that, however, is the DOJ investigation and whether Fain could be indicted, Masters said. On top of findings of retaliation against Mock, Boyer and other UAW staff, the monitor overseeing the union this summer reported that Fain abused his power to secure benefits for his fiancée and her sister, which reportedly is the subject of the federal probe.

In Michigan, UAW members also appeared to reelect Director LaShawn English in Warren's Region 1 with 66% of the vote. Scott Zuckschwerdt was poisted to replace Steve Dawes, who is retiring, in Flint-based Region 1D with 70% of the vote. Taylor-based Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli ran unopposed.

Outside of the Great Lakes states, in Region 4 that covers America's northern heartland, Mike DeSpain led to replace Campbell with 77% of the vote.

David Green appeared safe to lead Region 2B in Indiana and Ohio, securing 70% of the vote. Region 9's Jimmy Lakeman won 54% support for reelection in the district that covers central New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; Fain's UAW United slate didn't endorse in the Region 9 race.

Unopposed, Mike Miller and Brandon Mancilla were reelected in the West's Region 6 and in Region 9A, which covers the rest of New England. Tim Smith also ran for reelection unopposed in Region 8 in the South.

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