Event Video

On The Campaign Trail

IAFF Revs Up Fire Fighters for Dodd Campaign

With the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary less than two months away the IAFF has stepped up its activities on behalf Senator Chris Dodd, its endorsed candidate for president of the United States.

In early October IAFF General President traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for a meeting of Iowa affiliate leaders to discuss campaign goals and the specific efforts the IAFF will be undertaking in the state to ensure a great showing on caucus night. While the IAFF and the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters will be involved in a number of activities, the main goal is to turn out 2,500 voters to the caucuses.

The Iowa caucuses are tentatively scheduled for January 14, with the New Hampshire primary following eight days later on January 22. However, both of those dates are expected to move up due to election day changes in other states.

In addition to meeting with the Iowa leadership, General President Schaitberger participated in a number of meetings and campaign events with Senator Dodd in both Des Moines and Marshalltown. Schaitberger will return to Iowa in November to participate in a number of events with Senator Dodd and various Iowa locals, including the Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner with 40 of Iowa’s IAFF leaders. Preceding the dinner, the IAFF will host a “Fire Fighters For Dodd” reception.

The IAFF has also been working closely with the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire in preparing for that state’s primary. As the Dodd campaign shifts most of its resources to Iowa, the PFFNH has stepped up its efforts to take a much more visible role in helping to run a statewide Dodd effort.

On Saturday, October 20, President Schaitberger, joined by PFFNH President Dave Lang, accompanied Senator Dodd to New Hampshire’s Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner. The IAFF and the PFFNH hosted a pre-dinner “Fire Fighters For Dodd” reception, which included Rhode Island Representative Patrick Kennedy, who has also endorsed Chris Dodd.

In addition to the work the IAFF leadership and members are doing in Iowa and New Hampshire, members in Chris Dodd’s home state of Connecticut have also taken an active role in the “Fire Fighter For Dodd” campaign.

Connecticut State President Pete Carozza, along with Chris Tracy (Fairfield Local 1426), Bob Hyde (East Hartford Local 1548) and Jim Kelley (Stamford Local 786), has led the Connecticut Ambassadors program in support of Chris Dodd. IAFF members in Connecticut are calling their brothers and sisters in Iowa to introduce Chris Dodd to them and encourage them to get involved in the “Fire Fighters For Dodd” effort in their state.

Fire Fighters for Dodd Ads Available for Your Local’s Publications

The IAFF has camera-ready ad artwork and articles available for affiliates to use in their newsletters and other publications. To request these materials, send an email to politics@iaff.org.