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Firefighters Union Snubs Harris-Walz Ticket as Trump Gains Union Support

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Clear Facts

  • The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) decided not to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, marking a significant departure from their previous support for President Biden in 2020.
  • This non-endorsement follows a speech by Sen. JD Vance at an IAFF event, where he received mixed reactions but emphasized the support of the New York City Fire Marshals Benevolent Association for the Trump-Vance ticket.
  • The IAFF’s decision adds to the challenges faced by the Harris-Walz ticket, with other unions like the Teamsters also withholding endorsements amid polling showing strong support for Trump among their members.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has delivered a notable non-endorsement of the Harris-Walz ticket for the 2024 presidential election. This decision comes on the heels of a speech by Sen. JD Vance, who addressed the IAFF in August.

IAFF President Edward Kelly announced the decision after an executive board meeting, stating, “Today, the IAFF Executive Board, by a margin of 1.2 percent, voted to not endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.” He emphasized that the union took “unprecedented steps to hear out members’ views on the candidates and the policy issues that matter most to them” over the past year.

Kelly further explained that the union’s focus remains on improving the lives of firefighters and their families. He noted, “This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity,” urging members to participate actively in the upcoming election.

The IAFF’s non-endorsement is a significant setback for the Harris-Walz ticket, especially since the union had backed President Biden in the previous election. This decision follows Vance’s appearance at their event, where he was met with both boos and applause.

During his speech, Vance addressed the mixed reception by saying, “Semper fi, guys. Sounds like we’ve got some fans and some haters.” He expressed gratitude, stating, “God bless you guys, and thanks for what you do,” and highlighted the endorsement of the Trump-Vance ticket by the New York City Fire Marshals Benevolent Association.

Vance took the opportunity to praise the work of firefighters, acknowledging their daily risks and contributions. He declared the Trump-Vance ticket as “proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history.”

The IAFF’s decision is compounded by the Teamsters’ similar stance, as they also withheld endorsement from Harris. Polling among Teamsters members indicates a strong preference for Trump, with nearly 60 percent supporting him over Harris.

William Martin, a spokesman for Vance, commented on the situation, stating, “It’s no wonder that rank-and-file Teamsters support President Trump – they simply reject Kamala Harris’s policies of crippling inflation, high gas and electricity prices, millions of illegal immigrants coming into our country, and fewer jobs for American workers.”

He added, “American workers were safer and better off when President Trump was in office – rank-and-file workers know it, and that is why they will ignore their union bosses and will vote for the Trump-Vance ticket on November 5.”

This series of non-endorsements poses a challenge for Harris, especially after Vance’s successful debate against her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz. The debate earned Vance reluctant praise even from some members of the establishment media.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. MikefromTexas

    October 8, 2024 at 12:18 pm

    Another union who doesn’t like the dems but doesn’t have the guts to endorse President Trump. What a shame.

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