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.
“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.