The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) announced Thursday that the union refused to endorse Kamala Harris for president after endorsing Joe Biden in 2020. The IAFF generally endorses Democratic candidates, but also declined to endorse in 2016 when candidates Trump and Hillary. Clinton.
Republican vice presidential nominee Ohio Senator JD Vance spoke to union members in August at the IAFF convention, as well as Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Team Walz.
The IAFF is the second union to not endorse the 2024 presidential race after courting the Trump campaign. The Teamsters declined to make the endorsement after union president Sean O’Brien spoke at the RNC National Convention in Milwaukee last July. O’Brien has not been invited to speak at the DNC convention next month.
IAFF statement:
The Harris campaign posted a video of Vance being booed. Vance was like that, accepting the cheers and boos with grace:
JD Vance called out the audience for “haters” as he was booed at a firefighter union conference pic.twitter.com/J8TI94gAIt
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 29, 2024
Vance was introduced at the IAFF convention by Rep. Carlos Jimenez (R-FL), the only career firefighter in Congress, reported Fox News (quote:
Only career firefighters Congress will introduce Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, at the conference of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in Boston Thursday in an attempt to urge members to support the Trump-Vance ticket, after they became the first union. to endorse President Biden in 2020.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., became a Miami City firefighter in 1975 and rose to the rank of chief late in his career. He said Thursday that, like his fellow responders, former President Trump has shown he’s always ready to “answer the call.”
… “I think it’s important enough to get up at 3 a.m. to go to Boston and introduce Sen. Vance and talk to them about why I think President Trump and JD Vance are right for not just firefighters but for America.”
… “My pitch will be, you know, where firefighters are always willing to answer the phone or answer the bell – Now America, ask for help, and we have to respond,” Gimenez said.
“And America is asking for help because of the disaster that has been the Biden-Harris administration and … some of the things that have happened in the last three and a half years … from.”
“Now he’s either going to fix it or he’s going to fix it… It’s like having an arsonist tell you how to put out a fire.”
Video of Vance’s address:
Steve Morris of Recount relays the history of IAFF presidential endorsements going back to the 1980s:
IAFF endorsement history:
1984: Mondale
1988: Dukakis
1992: Clinton
1996: Clinton
2000: Gore
2004: Kerry
2008: Obama
2012: Obama
2016: No one
2020: Biden
2024: Nobody https://t.co/23dcVjof4K— Steve Morris (@stevemorris__) October 3, 2024
Trump campaign adviser Tim Murtaugh posted a reaction, “IAFF was the first union to endorse Biden in 2019. Now they’re refusing to endorse Kamala Harris. On top of the Teamsters not endorsing (and the Teamsters rank and file overwhelmingly support Trump), here’s another one for Harris.” It’s a big, big problem and he knows it.
The IAFF was the first union to endorse Biden in 2019.
Now he refuses to endorse Kamala Harris.
On top of the Teamsters disapproval (and the Teamsters rank and file overwhelmingly supporting Trump), this is another one for Harris.
Big, big hurdles and they know it. https://t.co/BzuaxvQOnQ
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) October 3, 2024
UPDATE: Official statement by the Trump campaign:
“This is another blow to Kamala Harris’ failed campaign. Hardworking Americans including Teamsters, firefighters, Border Patrol Agents, law enforcement officers, teachers, small business owners, moms and dads are sick and tired of inflation, the border crisis, and the chaos caused by Kamala’s incompetence and appalling policies. President Trump represents the change our country needs and he will bring economic relief, safety, and security to all Americans. – Karoline Leavitt, Trump Campaign National Press Secretary
