Firefighters rally for Shaheen

Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) at a rally with the IAFF: Photo credit: PolitickerNH.com

MANCHESTER -- Flanked by firefighters wearing their signature black-and-gold T-shirts, Jeanne Shaheen said they can count on her if she is elected in November.

Shaheen was joined by International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger and Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire President David Lang. After the rally in Manchester, the trio attended a chili event in Hampton.

"You can trust me if I go to Washington, when I go to Washington, to always support the FIRE and SAFER Act," Shaheen said. "And to always make sure our first responders who are out on the front lines get the support you need from the federal government, so the funding and the assistance with the equipment and training is going to be there when you need it."

Schaitberger said the group decided to endorse Shaheen because of her record as governor.

"The difference is going to be between two candidates, one that says the right thing and will call you heroes and will call admiration to your work and then vote against every single measure that has a meaningful impact on how you do your job," Schaitberger told the firefighters. "As opposed to our candidate, Governor Jeanne Shaheen, who has a track record supporting you every single step of the way."

Shaheen is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley).

The Sununu campaign responded that Sununu has sponsored legislation that has benefited New Hampshire firefighters.

"Senator Sununu has been an effective leader for the people of New Hampshire- he has stood up for firefighters and first responders time and time again by supporting legislation to create the Assistance to Fire Fighter Grants, the SAFER Grant Program and co-sponsored the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act," Lt. Terry Pfaff of the Manchester Fire Department said in a statement. 

David Lang used Sununu's recent ad to argue that Sununu has abandoned fire fighters.

"This race is about a senator from this state, who by the way his ad depicts him great, everybody see him running by that fire house, walked right by that Hooksett fire house just like he walked by the Fire Act, the Safer Act and any other act that would have helped the New Hampshire folks," Lang said.

Lang also said the group will be resurrecting their chili events, which became a staple of the 2004 primary.

Pfaff added, "one thing firefighters don't need is Ms. Shaheen in Washington raising taxes for Granite Staters like she did as Governor when she signed the first statewide property tax and proposed a 2.5 percent sales tax and 4.5 percent capital gains tax that would have devastated New Hampshire's economy."