Political Action

ELECTION 2018

Big Wins for Firefighters Up and Down the Ballot

To secure a better future for the men and women on the front lines, it’s critical to have strong, pro-firefighter voices in the halls of power. This past election, voters again demonstrated their willingness to stand with firefighters as they stand up for the people they serve. From local councils and fire boards all the way to the race for governor of California, candidates supported by local unions, CPF and IAFF swept into office.

STATEWIDE RACES

In statewide contests, all but one of CPF’s endorsed candidates for statewide office won election.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE

The firefighter voice should be strong in the Legislature for the coming two years. Of the 87 Assembly and state Senate contests in which CPF made an endorsement, all but five won – an astonishing success rate of nearly 95%.

BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

CPF’s highest ballot priority this year was the defeat of Proposition 5. The special-interest measure – backed by realtors – would have sliced $2 billion out of local and school funding to fund a tax giveaway to wealthier homeowners. With firefighters taking the lead, Prop. 5 was overwhelmingly defeated.

CPF also opposed Proposition 6, which would have threatened critical infrastructure and public safety projects by eliminating the gas tax. Prop. 6 was defeated by California voters.

LOCAL ELECTIONS HIGHLIGHT SUCCESSFUL
LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES

Up and down California, firefighter local unions actively engaged on local government contests, from fire district boards to city councils and county supervisors.

Most notable in the election cycle was the increased number – and success – of local tax measures. Statewide, 58 of 69 local sales tax measures were passed, including 52 out of 58 general sales tax increases (90%). In the overwhelming majority of these races, public safety, in particular fire safety, was the issue that helped lead these measures to victory.