Union of California Firefighters Endorses Harris
The separation from the national union's decision not to endorse comes after former President Donald Trump threatened to withhold wildfire aid from the state.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — On Monday, California's primary firefighters' union officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, diverging from the national union, which opted against making a presidential endorsement a week and a half ago.
California Professional Firefighters President Brian Rice stated that the state’s firefighters and its residents cannot afford to elect a president who implies he would withhold wildfire aid due to the state’s political stance. Former President Donald Trump has voiced on multiple occasions that he would not allocate federal funds to California for its devastating wildfires unless Governor Gavin Newsom complied with his demands regarding water politics, with his latest remarks made at a rally in Southern California on Saturday.
“National state of emergency declarations should be about assisting the public whose lives and homes are endangered by wildfires, floods, and earthquakes, not partisan politics,” Rice expressed in a statement.
He further described the election as a “battle for the heart and soul of working America” and asserted that Harris would be a stronger advocate for firefighters’ rights to unionize.
“Kamala Harris represents firefighters’ best opportunity to elect a leader who is going to support the work they do and to prioritize their well-being and the well-being of their families,” Rice emphasized.
Earlier this month, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the union's national chapter, declared that it would not endorse any candidates after conducting its first-ever member-wide poll, which revealed that 56 percent of members identified as Republican and 41 percent wanted the union to evaluate issues beyond its fire service mission, such as gun rights and foreign policy, before making a presidential endorsement. This decision was perceived as a slight towards Harris, especially since IAFF was the first union to back President Joe Biden in 2020.
In the context of a national union identity crisis, the endorsement from California firefighters could potentially influence undecided voters in swing states, particularly in Western states that regard California as a model for firefighting practices. According to an August YouGov poll, firefighters unions rank among the most popular in the country.
Rice acknowledged that not all firefighters in California might share the union leadership’s viewpoint.
“We respect that all voters, including our own members, will take other issues into consideration when they vote,” he remarked. “As compelling as those reasons may be for some of our members, it’s CPF’s responsibility to recommend what’s best for the bottom line of firefighters’ well-being and the public safety services we deliver."
While Harris boasts endorsements from a substantial majority of national labor unions, a few blue-collar unions have decided to refrain from participating in the 2024 election. This includes the United Mine Workers of America, which made its decision more than a year ago, as well as the Teamsters, who recently withdrew after a widely scrutinized courting process. Notably, the West Coast Teamsters also chose to break from the national union to endorse Harris the previous month.
The CPF represents 35,000 members, encompassing emergency responders, municipal firefighters, and Cal Fire firefighters, though it does not include firefighters from the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
California Professional Firefighters President Brian Rice stated that the state’s firefighters and its residents cannot afford to elect a president who implies he would withhold wildfire aid due to the state’s political stance. Former President Donald Trump has voiced on multiple occasions that he would not allocate federal funds to California for its devastating wildfires unless Governor Gavin Newsom complied with his demands regarding water politics, with his latest remarks made at a rally in Southern California on Saturday.
“National state of emergency declarations should be about assisting the public whose lives and homes are endangered by wildfires, floods, and earthquakes, not partisan politics,” Rice expressed in a statement.
He further described the election as a “battle for the heart and soul of working America” and asserted that Harris would be a stronger advocate for firefighters’ rights to unionize.
“Kamala Harris represents firefighters’ best opportunity to elect a leader who is going to support the work they do and to prioritize their well-being and the well-being of their families,” Rice emphasized.
Earlier this month, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the union's national chapter, declared that it would not endorse any candidates after conducting its first-ever member-wide poll, which revealed that 56 percent of members identified as Republican and 41 percent wanted the union to evaluate issues beyond its fire service mission, such as gun rights and foreign policy, before making a presidential endorsement. This decision was perceived as a slight towards Harris, especially since IAFF was the first union to back President Joe Biden in 2020.
In the context of a national union identity crisis, the endorsement from California firefighters could potentially influence undecided voters in swing states, particularly in Western states that regard California as a model for firefighting practices. According to an August YouGov poll, firefighters unions rank among the most popular in the country.
Rice acknowledged that not all firefighters in California might share the union leadership’s viewpoint.
“We respect that all voters, including our own members, will take other issues into consideration when they vote,” he remarked. “As compelling as those reasons may be for some of our members, it’s CPF’s responsibility to recommend what’s best for the bottom line of firefighters’ well-being and the public safety services we deliver."
While Harris boasts endorsements from a substantial majority of national labor unions, a few blue-collar unions have decided to refrain from participating in the 2024 election. This includes the United Mine Workers of America, which made its decision more than a year ago, as well as the Teamsters, who recently withdrew after a widely scrutinized courting process. Notably, the West Coast Teamsters also chose to break from the national union to endorse Harris the previous month.
The CPF represents 35,000 members, encompassing emergency responders, municipal firefighters, and Cal Fire firefighters, though it does not include firefighters from the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
