In a press release Thursday, the Virginia State Firefighters Association takes exception with gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe’s claim of support of Virginia firefighters, calling the claim “misleading.” The group, which represents 13,000 firefighters, is separate from the much smaller union of paid firefighters which has endorsed McAuliffe. The VSFA has not endorsed in the primary and has filed a formal complaint with the State Board of Elections.
The entire press release is below the fold.
Contact: Dickie Atkins 888-640-5655, jpatkins@comcast.net
McAULIFFE ADS ARE MISLEADING, CHARGE SOME VIRGINIA FIREFIGHTER GROUPS
RICHMOND, JUNE 4—Terry McAuliffe is misleading the public when he says that “Virginia firefighters” endorse his candidacy, according to the Virginia State Firefighters Association. The 13,000-member VSFA is a group distinct from the union of paid firefighters which has endorsed McAuliffe, one of three contenders for the Democratic nomination for governor, to be decided in Tuesday’s primary election. The VSFA represents the largest number of firefighters in the state.
VSFA members were outraged with they reported that a McAuliffe TV ad, which aired on WSET (channel 13) and WDBJ (channel 7) broadcasting to Lynchburg, Roanoke and other areas, claimed “Virginia Firefighters Support this Ad” and “Endorsed by Virginia Firefighters.” They say that this tagline exploits the good name of “firefighters” when it implies, wrongly, that all firefighters are in agreement on this.
“I’ve been a volunteer firefighter and a member of the VSFA for years, and for all these years, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Richard Harris, immediate past president and legislative co-chair. “The union represents only a small percentage of those of us who protect the health and safety of the citizens.”
The VSFA has filed a formal complaint with the State Board of Elections.
VSFA representatives say their organization does not endorse any of the candidates. McAuliffe will run against Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran for the party nomination. That winner will challenge Republican candidate Bob McDonnell in November.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I see this as ‘dirty pool’. At least 16 of my teacher friends and I are working as volunteers on the Terry campaign; so I have a T-shirt that says TEACHERS SUPPORT TERRY. What’s wrong with that? NO, I have not polled all 3000 of them. As the Bible says: ‘Whenever 2 or 3 of you are gathered together in my name….” I know a large group of firefighters support Terry because I had an opportunity to speak with them when they came out for Terry the time Clinton was in town.
I think the Virginia State Firefighters Association looks dumb on this issue. Have they polled their members of the candidates? No… Do they speak for me? As a volunteer firefighter, I support McAuliffe.
They don’t own the term “Virginia Firefighters” and McAuliffe has every right to run his ad. I suggest the Past President “Grow up and stop whining.”
So we are comparing Terry to “Christ” now? There is an organization called “Virginia Firefighters”, much like there is an organization called IBM. Just because you like playing on the computer, doesnt’ give you the right to claim “IBM”! GEt serious. Terry is going to sink the DEMS. He’s the only candidate that could lose to McDonnell! Wake up and smell reality. Terry is as phony as your arguments! And you aren’t helping your candidate posting your inane points online.