Voters elected dozens of fire fighter-endorsed candidates to federal, state, and local offices while approving ballot measures to boost fire department funding, improve response times, and strengthen public safety in the 2026 midterm elections.
“When fire fighters get involved in the political conversation, voters listen,” said General President Edward Kelly. “Our members organized, made their case to their communities, and helped deliver real victories for fire fighters and those we took an oath to protect. That’s why we get in the fight.”
The IAFF and FIREPAC provided key financial and strategic support to affiliates working to elect their candidates and pass public safety measures.
IAFF Leaders Elected to Office
Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA) President Bob Brooks challenged incumbent Congressman Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District – one of the country’s most competitive races this cycle.
Brooks defeated Mackenzie with 55% of the vote, making him the first IAFF state leader to be elected to federal office in the United States.
“For 20 years, I ran into burning buildings without ever asking who somebody voted for. That’s how I’m going to do this job,” said Brooks. “If you voted for me, I now work for you. If you voted for the other guy, I’m going to work just as hard for you. That is my promise.”
In Maine, Professional Fire Fighters of Maine President Mike Scott was elected to represent the state’s 20th Senate District. Scott brings more than 30 years of union leadership to the Senate and ran a campaign centered on fighting for working people in Augusta.
“I promise to bring the same commitment to serving our communities that I brought to the fire service for 30 years,” Scott said in a post after Election Day.
Dozens of other IAFF members who currently hold elected office also saw victories on Tuesday, ensuring fire fighter voices remain in the halls of power across the country.
Voters back Collective Bargaining Rights for Fire Fighters
Locals also helped secure big wins for fire fighters seeking a stronger voice in the workplace.
In Texas, IAFF members in Abilene (Local 1044) can now pursue their first contract as voters approved historic measures to allow collective bargaining for fire fighters.
And in Colorado, Boulder Fire Fighters Local 900 helped secure a measure establishing fire fighters’ collective bargaining rights in the city’s charter – ensuring members have a say in key workplace decisions.
Communities Invest in Public Safety
Affiliates also worked to secure investments in their departments’ staffing, equipment, and infrastructure.
While votes are still being counted in Los Angeles, Tuesday’s results indicate voters have approved Measure FD – a major investment in the Los Angeles Fire Department. United Fire Fighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) Local 112 collected more than 250,000 signatures in support of the measure to qualify for the November ballot.
Measure FD will provide hundreds of millions of new annual funding for LAFD to build fire stations, replace outdated apparatus and equipment, and increase department staffing – which has remained flat for more than 60 years despite major population growth.
In Miami, 60% of voters backed a fire fighter-endorsed public safety bond to build four new fire stations and improve existing facilities. Referendum One will play an important role in reducing coverage gaps across the city, improving response times when emergencies strike.
IAFF Locals in Waterford Township, Michigan (Local 1335), West Metro, Colorado (Local 1309), Wausau, Wisconsin (Local 415), Jackson County, Missouri (Local 3133), and other Locals across the country helped secure passage of ballot measures that will increase fire department funding, boost staffing, purchase new apparatus, and better protect their communities.
