OFFICE OF THE ELECTION SUPERVISOR
for the
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
IN RE MOLINAR, JESSE ) Protest Decision 2026 ESD 30
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) Issued: January 26, 2026
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) OES Case No. P-053-102326
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Jesse Molinar, a member of Local 577 and candidate on what is now known as the Members First slate for the 2025-2026 International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Union Delegate and Officer Election (the “Election”), filed a pre-election protest against Alfonso Brita, Principal Officer of Local 577 and candidate on the Teamster Local 577 slate for the Election, alleging that the two slates had similar names that would cause confusion for voting members.
Felicia Hardesty of the Office of the Election Supervisor investigated this protest.
Before changing his slate’s name to Members First Slate, Molinar’s slate’s name was Local 577 Delegates. The opposing slate’s name is Teamster Local 577. Upon being assigned this protest, Hardesty spoke with protestor Molinar who informed Hardesty that he filed the protest to prevent the printing of ballots that had two separate slate names that were very similar and likely to mislead or confuse voting members. However, Molinar also stated that he was changing his slate name from Local 577 Delegates to Members First Slate to avoid confusion. Since Molinar has confirmed the change in his slate name to avoid confusion prior to the printing of the ballots, which is scheduled for February 5, 2026, we find this protest to be RESOLVED.
APPELLATE RIGHTS
Any interested party not satisfied with this determination may request a hearing before the Election Appeals Master within two (2) working days of receipt of this decision. Any party requesting a hearing must comply with the requirements of Article XIII, Section 2(i). All parties are reminded that, absent extraordinary circumstances, no party may rely in any such appeal upon evidence that was not presented to the Office of the Election Supervisor. Requests for a hearing shall be made in writing, shall specify the basis for the appeal, and shall be served upon:
Election Appeals Master
IBTappealsmaster@bracewell.com
cc: Barbara Jones, IBTappealsmaster@bracewell.com
DISTRIBUTION LIST (BY EMAIL UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE):
Alfonso Brito
Edward M. Gleason, Jr.,
David Suetholz
Felicia Hardesty