Election 2022: FIREPAC Wins Lead the Way

Fire fighters won up and down the ballot this November, thanks in part to FIREPAC – the IAFF’s political action fund. Our agenda – protecting members’ health and safety, guaranteeing the terms and conditions of work, and securing dignified retirements – was on the ticket, and the IAFF showed that “when we fight, we win.”

“Our communities are safer with expert fire and EMS services – and with politicians who understand the importance of that,” said General President Edward Kelly. “No one understands our needs better than we do, so we are always eager to support our own in the political arena. As long as politicians are involved in our ability to fight fires, fire fighters will be involved in politics.”

Here’s a look at FIREPAC-supported members elected to office, as well as FIREPAC-backed ballot initiatives focused on bargaining, equipment, staffing, and training.

Frederick County, MD

More than 55 percent of the Frederick County, MD electorate opposed a county council referendum to remove binding arbitration. The initiative would have had severe implications for fire fighters across the state if passed. In addition to funding, the IAFF helped Local 3666 craft messaging, develop a field and campaign plan, create campaign graphics and mailers, and manage all digital media ads.

Illinois State Rep. Mike Kelly, Local 2

Mike Kelly, an 18-year member of Chicago Local 2, won his first full term in the Illinois House, representing the 15^th District. Kelly, who was appointed to the seat in November 2021, secured 70 percent of the vote.

Oregon State Rep. Dacia Grayber, Local 1660

Dacia Grayber, a 15-year fire fighter and paramedic with Tualatin Valley, Local 1660, won reelection to the Oregon State House and was named her conference’s assistant majority leader. In her first two years in the state house, she served as Chair of Veterans and Emergency Management and the Vice Chair of Business and Labor. She is on the Ways and Means Public Safety and Wildfire Committees. Grayber led the fight to expand the state’s fire fighter cancer presumption and worker’s compensation improvements for Oregon’s fire fighters. “Fighting fires is a team effort, and so is politics,” she said. “Having the support of my IAFF family as I strive to continue bringing and passing policies that benefit our fire fighter sisters and brothers and the communities we serve is essential to success as a legislator. I’m so honored to have that support.”

Winning Members Supported by FIREPAC

Winning Initiatives Supported by FIREPAC