Philly firefighters endorse Toomey re-election bid for U.S. Senate

Philadelphia’s firefighters union has endorsed Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey for re-election.  

 

While organized labor usually backs Democrats, Philadelphia Fire Fighters & Paramedics Union Local 22 head Andrew Thomas said the union is supporting Pat Toomey for several reasons.

“He was instrumental in making sure the people affected by 9/11, that their medical coverage would still go through,” Thomas said Wednesday.  “He’s provided incentives to building owners to install sprinklers, which is helpful for firefighters. And he’s making tuition assistance available to the children of fallen firefighters.”

The endorsement does not come with financial support.

“The state firefighters might endorse another person, we don’t really know where they are going,” Thomas said. “We don’t contribute to Pat Toomey’s campaign, that would come from the international level. I think that the international is going to sit this one out.”

But he  said the endorsement does carry clout with his members when it comes to voting.