(June 14, 2007) -- The Int'l Ass'n of Firefighters and three major area unions representing firefighters have endorsed State Senator Jenny Oropeza (D., southbay) in her run to represent roughly 80% of LB in the U.S. House of Representatives.

17 candidates (11 Dems, 4 Repubs, 1 Green & 12 Libertarian) are vying in a June 26 special election to succeed the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D., Carson-LB).

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said in his group's release, "Senator Oropeza has demonstrated her commitment to public safety and the firefighters, and I know she will be a champion in Congress. I look forward to working with her."

LB Firefighters Local 372 president Rich Brandt said in the release, "She has worked at every level of government to ensure the safety of those we protect."

Steve Tufts, president of L.A. City Firefighters Local 112, added. "We need help on the federal level, we have major bills before Congress on funding for fire stations, personnel, equipment, and funding for adequate training and communication systems for larger emergencies. Senator Oropeza is a hard charger who can get these bills passed.”"

LB Firefighters Local 372, United Firefighters of L.A. City Local 112 and L.A. County Local 1014 represent more than 7,000 firefighters, fire chiefs, helicopter pilots and hazardous materials technicians who protect the more than 60 cities in the Los Angeles area.

The Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters (IAFF), based in Washington, DC, is an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO, CLC).

If no candidate receives over 50% of the vote June 26, the top-vote drawing candidate from each party will go into an August 21 runoff.