California firefighters union endorses Harris

By Camille von Kaenel | 10/15/2024 12:58 PM EDT

The split from the national union’s non-endorsement follows former President Donald Trump’s threats to withhold wildfire aid from the state.

Firefighters are silhouetted against the setting sun while monitoring fire and wind conditions from a hillside.

CPF's 35,000 members include emergency responders, municipal firefighters and Cal Fire firefighters, but not Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management firefighters. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

SACRAMENTO, California — California’s main firefighters union on Monday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, breaking with the national union that declined a week and a half ago to make an endorsement in the presidential race.

California Professional Firefighters President Brian Rice said that the state’s firefighters and residents couldn’t afford to elect a president who threatens to withhold wildfire aid because of the state’s political leanings.

Former President Donald Trump has said several times he would not give California federal funds for its damaging wildfires unless Gov. Gavin Newsom went his way on water politics, most recently at a rally in Southern California on Saturday.

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“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 said in a statement.

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