Firefighters union endorses Murphy

The state’s largest firefighter union has endorsed Gov. Phil Murphy, support that brings votes and boots on the ground as the governor seeks re-election to a second term.

“Our union has tried to work with every governor that has served during our 125 year history,” said Eddie Donnelly, the president of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA).  “None have, through both words and actions, shown their willingness to put politics aside to protect the safety of our members and the communities we serve more than Governor Murphy.”

The state FMBA had more than 5,000 members representing firefighters, EMTs and dispatchers.

Donnelly cited Murphy’s support of a law that separated the firefighters retirement system from other public employees.

“This bold step gave those of us with the most at stake the ability to control our retirement security and health,” said Donnelly.

The union leader also praised Murphy’s protection of first responders during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It took 20 years for a governor to sign legislation that rightly recognized the likelihood that when a first responder is diagnosed with cancer that illness was caused by exposure to harmful chemicals on the job,” stated Donnelly. “It took Governor Murphy only a few months to take similar, and necessary, action when it came to protecting the brave men and women that spent their days running into this global pandemic to save others.”

Donnelly sad Murphy’s bold leadership “shown over and over again that made our decision to make this endorsement an easy one.”

Murphy called the FMBA “some of the very best and bravest of New Jersey’s firefighter and first responder community.”

“By working together, we’ve restored respect to the bargaining table, protected benefits for retirees, and lifted up the women and men who answer the call of duty,” the governor said.