Super Tuesday is a day in the primary election season when more than a dozen states hold their primary elections or caucuses. It is a crucial moment in the presidential nomination process, often influencing the trajectory of the election. California’s primary is one of many critical races nationwide taking place on Super Tuesday.
In an enthusiastic display of gratitude and appreciation, second-generation fire fighter Joe Kerr took to Facebook to thank the army of volunteers and dedicated canvassers who played a pivotal role in his campaign for California’s Congressional District 40 race.
“We have been preparing for many, many months. We have knocked on over 100,000 doors, sent mailers, and put out television commercials,” he said.
Following his Super Tuesday triumph, Kerr is now moving forward to the general election in one of California’s pivotal contests. With the November election looming, he is leveraging the backing of his union, the IAFF, to bolster his campaign.
“No one fights for us like we fight for ourselves,” said General President Edward Kelly. “As a second-generation fire fighter and longtime labor leader, Joe Kerr understands the issues important to IAFF members: fair pay, strong benefits, a safe and healthy workplace, and a dignified retirement. We’re proud to support Joe’s campaign and look forward to the general election,” he said.
Fire fighters are the best common-sense problem solvers on the planet. We just need a little bit of that common sense, pragmatic problem-solving in the U.S. Congress right now.
joe kerr, congressional candidate & retired fire captain
IAFF leaders, including General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma, 10th District Vice President Steve Gilman, and Local 3631 President Chris Hamm, joined Kerr on the campaign trail, engaging with IAFF members and canvassing within the community. California Governor Gavin Newsom also took part in a weekend get-out-the-vote event.
“Joe Kerr has been a close friend of mine and one of the strongest fighters for our members and their families for years as Local 3631 President. And I know he will continue that fight for all IAFF members when he is elected this fall to California’s 40th Congressional District,” Líma said. “Congratulations to Joe and his team for advancing to the general election.”
Kerr dedicated 34 years to the Orange County Fire Authority, rising to the rank of Fire Captain. During his tenure, he also served as the inaugural president of the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association for 17 years. He also held positions as the former Vice President of both the California Professional Firefighters and the Orange County Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO).
“I started out with the Los Angeles County Firefighters, Local 1014, and then in 1994, Orange County went into the world’s largest investment bankruptcy,” he said. “The governor at the time was looking to lay off 50% of our workforce, privatize our paramedics, and steal 10% of our deferred compensation, but we worked with the IAFF and President Bill Clinton and got a law passed so that all public employees in the United States no longer have to worry about their deferred compensation being taken away.”
Kerr previously ran for Orange County Supervisor in 2018 and for the California State Senate in 2022. “They were trying to lay off union fire fighters, which looked like it was going to metastasize around the state. So, I ran for Senate, to change the narrative and stop the layoff of union fire fighters, and it seemed to help,” he said.
Two years later, his focus remains steadfast on advocating for firefighters’ rights and protection. “Fire fighters are the best common-sense problem solvers on the planet,” he said. “We just need a little bit of that common sense, pragmatic problem-solving in the U.S. Congress right now.”
Looking ahead to the November election, Kerr encourages voters to stand behind representatives who understand the challenges fire fighters face firsthand.
“Having one of our own in Congress, helping with bills, sponsoring bills, taking care of issues, taking care of cancer presumptions, and other presumptions for fire fighters that we enjoy in some of our states is going to be a good thing,” he said. “We have been in the trenches, and everybody getting out to vote is only going to help all of us.”
