State Firefighters Union Endorses Gottheimer For Re-election

One of the state's largest firefighter unions is supporting Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5th) for re-election.

The New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association endorsed Gottheimer for re-election Tuesday. The union represents more than 6,000 active firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers in New Jersey.

Union President Ed Donnelly praised Gottheimer's one-term record of working across the political aisle and partnering with towns, mayors, and fire and police departments to help secure resources for them.

"When we first met Josh, over two years ago, he said, 'Ed, not only am I going to have your back, but I'm going to work with anyone to get stuff done for our first responders,'" said union President Ed Donnelly. "That means walking across the aisle and getting some friendships and some partnerships across the aisle, so we make sure that the vital grants for our firefighters and EMTs and police officers and dispatchers come back to New Jersey. So when Josh made that promise, I'm here to tell you, two years later, that he lived up to that."

In Congress, Gottheimer, a member of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus, has co-sponsored the bipartisan Firefighter Cancer Registry Act. He also fought to delay the "Cadillac Tax," which threatened the healthcare of firefighters and others in high-risk professions.

Gottheimer also introduced anti-terror legislation, including the Darren Drake Combatting 21st Century Weapons of Terror Act, named after aNew Milford man who was killed in an act of terrorism nearly one year ago. (See related: 'Good Man With A Huge Heart': Friends Remember NYC Terror Victim)

"Two years ago, when I first ran for Congress, I promised to fight to ensure that our firefighters and all our first responders had the training, resources, and support they needed to protect themselves and their communities," Gottheimer said. "Since being sworn in, I've worked every day to fulfill that promise and support those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Josh Gottheimer receives the endorsement of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association at Teaneck Fire Station No. 4