Challenge to Hoffa Rejected

The official challenges to James P. Hoffa’s election as president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters were dismissed by the federal election overseer, paving the way for Hoffa’s formal installation into office.

Election officer Michael Cherkasky rejected the challenges by Hoffa’s primary opponent in the election, Tom Leedham, on Jan. 28, and said he would certify all the results of the election, with two exceptions.

Cherkasky said he would take the action by the middle of this week, unless Leedham appeals the decision.

Hoffa cannot take office at Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C., until the election results are officially certified. He polled 54.5% of the 359,000 ballots cast, compared with 39.3% for Leedham and 6% for John Metz. The mail ballots were counted in early December.

Two weeks after the results were announced, Leedham filed a protest that accused Hoffa of covering up illegal campaign contributions and of tolerating wrongdoing by members of his slate.

“It has been two years since the members of this union had legitimate, elected leaders. We won the election in a landslide, and now the election officer has cleared us,” Hoffa said in a statement. “I call on the Leedham slate to accept this decision and not further delay the inevitable with appeals whose only point is to perpetuate themselves in office.”

Attempts to reach Leedham for comment were unsuccessful.

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