A prominent union representing firefighters and other emergency workers narrowly voted not to endorse a presidential candidate, becoming the latest union to remain on the sidelines ahead of next month’s election.
Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Firefighters, said in a statement Thursday that the union’s executive committee had resolved “not to endorse any candidate by a margin of 1.2 percentage points.” Still, Kelly called on union members to “get out there and make your voice heard in the next election.”
Both vice presidential candidates, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, endorsed the union during a duel during a union gathering in Boston in August. Both candidates campaigned as more pro-labor choices, and at times both were praised by union members.
“People often say, ‘Look, I’m not interested in politics at all,'” Walz told the union. “My reaction to that is, ‘Oh my god, politics are crazy about you.’ If you’re not advocating a message here, it’s hard to make it happen.”
Vance was booed for describing himself and former President Donald J. Trump as “the most pro-worker Republican candidates in history.” Vance acknowledged the heckler during his speech and vowed to the audience that a second Trump administration would support firefighters unions, no matter who they support in the next election.
“Whether you ultimately support us or not, President Trump and I believe in our firefighters and first responders, and we will never stop fighting for you,” Vance said. No. I support you, I’m proud of you, and I appreciate you.”
