Firefighters endorse Collazos-Gill for Assembly, but skip McKeon

The state’s largest firefighters union has endorsed Alixon Collazos-Gill for State Assembly in the 27th district Democratic primary, but stopped short of backing her running mate, eleven-term Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange).

The New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association represents over 5,000 firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers in the state, including locals in Montclair, Clifton, West Orange, and Millburn.

“It has never been more important for New Jersey’s career firefighters and first responders to have true allies who understand and respect our profession in Trenton, and we know that Alixon Collazos-Gill will be a true ally looking out for our members,” said Ed Donnelly, the NJFMBA president “It’s critical that our firefighters and first responders have the resources they need to protect our communities safely and professionally, and we know that we can count on Alixon Collazos-Gill to fight for us.”

Collazos-Gill is seeking the open seat of nine-term Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D-Montclair), who is not seeking re-election.  She is running on the organization line with McKeon against two off-the-line challengers, former Montclair school board member Eve Robinson and former Assemblyman Craig Stanley.  Robinson is running with State Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair), while Stanley, a West Orange resident who represented the next-door 28th district for twelve years when he was an Irvington resident, is running on his own.

The firefighters praised Giblin’s record.

“NJFMBA is grateful to Assemblyman Tom Giblin for his decades of support to New Jersey first responders,” Donnelly said.  “We wish him health and happiness in retirement.”

The firefighters union is expected to endorse former Gov. Richard Codey (D-Roseland) for re-election to the State Senate when their legislative committee meets next week.  Codey faces Gill in the Democratic primary after redistricting placed them in the same district.

Collazos-Gill voiced her strong support for firefighters and first responders, saying they “put their lives on the line every day for us, and face extraordinary challenges doing their jobs every day.“

“They deserve to know they can count on their government to support and protect them, as much as our communities count on them to protect us,” said Collazos-Gill.  “I could not be more honored, or prouder, to have the support of Ed Donnelly and the NJ FMBA.”