Alex Padilla for California State Senate

FIRE CHIEFS ENDORSE ALEX PADILLA FOR SENATE

LOS ANGELES – Fire chiefs across the state today announced their support of Los Angeles City Councilmember Alex Padilla’s campaign for the 20th State Senate District. Padilla received the endorsement of the California Fire Chiefs Association, the Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Officers Association, and Los Angeles Fire Department Chief William Bamattre.

“We’re pleased to support a candidate for the State Senate who has so much experience working directly with fire chiefs and fire department personnel. At the city level, Alex Padilla has been an effective advocate for fire fighters and paramedics. He’ll be able to help more fire departments across California as a State Senator,” said California Fire Chiefs Association President Michael Warren, who is the Fire Chief for the City of Corona.

“Alex has been a strong supporter of the Los Angeles Fire Department and fought to bring more fire and paramedic resources to the Valley. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Alex Padilla and I know that he will always put the safety of his constituents first. It will be great to have a leader with his knowledge and expertise in the State Senate,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief William Bamattre.

“We based our decision on Alex’s record of fighting for public safety on the Los Angeles City Council and our confidence that he will continue to support and build on that record in the State Senate. We believe that making our community a safer place to live is his top priority. That’s why we support him,” said LAFD Battalion Chief and Chief Officers Association President John P. Miller.

“From fighting fires to responding to calls for emergency medical assistance, fire chiefs know what it takes to keep our communities safe. I’m honored to have their endorsement," said Councilmember Padilla.

Councilmember Padilla is running for the State Senate seat being vacated by State Senator Richard Alarcon. The primary election will be held in June 2006.

The California Fire Chiefs Association, Los Angeles Fire Chief William Bamattre, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Officers Association joins a growing list of leaders and organizations who have endorsed Alex Padilla for State Senate, including U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, U.S. Congressmembers Howard Berman, Jane Harman, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Grace Napolitano, Maxine Waters, and Diane Watson, Los Angeles County Supervisors Yvonne Burke, Gloria Molina, and Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles City Councilmember Tony Cardenas, LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, Los Angeles Police Protective League, Los Angeles Port Police Association, Association of Deputy District Attorneys, Los Angeles School Police Association, California Credit Union League, Los Angeles County Young Democrats, San Fernando Valley Mexican American Political Association, the Teamsters Joint Council #42, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council, Laborers Local 300, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, IBEW Local 11, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) California, the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council, CWA-NABET Local 53, and Communication Workers of America Local 9400, 9505, 9510 and 9586.

###