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Columbia firefighter’s union to withhold endorsements during city elections

File photo of a Columbia fire truck.
KMIZ
File photo of a Columbia fire truck.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 announced in a Wednesday press release that it will not endorse any candidates in the April 8 election.

The union has endorsed candidates in prior city elections and supported former First Ward Councilman Nick Knoth during his recall.

Breaking from the years long tradition of supporting candidates and working tirelessly to help those candidates win election, the Firefighters believe it is in their best interest to withhold the endorsement and shine a spotlight on the many challenges that the City of Columbia will face moving forward,” the release says.

“Within the Fire Department specifically, funding will continue to be the main challenge, with needs in every corner of the Department. Those needs include funding for apparatus, equipment, infrastructure, salaries, new positions, and maintenance on existing equipment and infrastructure. It will be imperative that the incoming City Council take a hard look at where these funding resources will come from and work with the Fire Administration and the Columbia Firefighters to solve the complex challenges.”

Races in the April election include mayor, Ward 3 and Ward 4. Jacque Sample is the only person who filed to run in the Ward 3 race. Ron Graves and incumbent Nick Foster face off in the Ward 4 race; while the mayoral race includes  incumbent Barbara BuffaloeTanya Heath and Blair Murphy. The Boone County Clerk's Office stated that Lucio Bitoy is a certified write-in candidate.

“I am proud of our members for making such a bold statement by challenging all candidates to ‘step-up’ the action required of the City Council and to withhold our endorsement until our members feel that real action accompanies the discussions with candidates,” union President Zachary Privette is quoted in the release.

Other groups have made endorsements in the race, including local union LiUNA Local 955, who recently endorsed Buffaloe and Sample.

Article Topic Follows: Your Voice Your Vote

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