ELECTION 2024

Carl Demaio: Wrong for CPF, Wrong for Republican Voters

Elections aren’t just about choosing between Republicans and Democrats. Because of California’s rule that the top two state and federal candidates in the primary election advance to the November general election, regardless of their political party, there are several parts of the state where the legislative or congressional races will feature two Republicans or two Democratic candidates.

One of the most consequential matchups in this general election is between two Republican candidates in East San Diego County’s Assembly District 75. This district is one of the most conservative electorates in the state. Voters there are at risk of electing one of the most anti-firefighter, anti-union politicians to ever run for office: Carl DeMaio. While on the San Diego City Council, DeMaio eliminated defined-benefit pensions for firefighters and proposed cutting firefighter jobs and line-of-duty death benefits to the families of fallen firefighters.

Defeating Carl DeMaio in his race against Andrew Hayes, also a Republican, is a top priority for CPF. DeMaio wants to cut public services and compensation for the firefighters and other workers who deliver those essential services in an effort to reduce taxes for corporations and millionaires like himself. DeMaio made his fortune consulting with government contractors to advocate for contracting out public services to private industries, even the fire service.

We don’t need ideologues like DeMaio, who devalue the work CPF members do for their communities for the sake of private profits and cutting taxes. CPF stands ready with Andrew Hayes and several other allies in the public safety and labor communities to support candidates from any political party to defeat politicians like Carl DeMaio.