Release: Connecticut Fire Fighters Join Team Murphy

July 06 2011

For Immediate Release
July 6, 2011

Contact: Kenny Curran
C: 203.558.5676

Pete Carozza, Jr.
C: 203.592.7331

Connecticut Fire Fighters Join Team Murphy
Become 4th statewide labor organization to throw early support to Chris Murphy for Senate


Waterbury – Today, Connecticut Fire Fighters will join a rapidly growing grassroots coalition and become the 4th statewide labor organization to endorse Chris Murphy in his race for United States Senate.

“Connecticut Fire Fighters are on the front lines protecting our families every day”, Murphy said. “To have their endorsement so early in this campaign is a huge honor and will provide critical support in our fight for the future of middle class working families throughout Connecticut.”

According to Pete Carozza, Jr., UPFFA of Connecticut President, the decision to endorse Rep. Murphy was an easy one.

"Chris has been there every time working men and women needed someone to stand up and fight for them", Carozza said. “We are proud to stand with him in his efforts to become the next Senator from Connecticut and we will be working hard to take his grassroots message to people all over the state.”

The Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut (UPFFA) represents over 4,000 career fire fighters across the state. These fire fighters, who are stationed at fire houses in cities and towns throughout Connecticut, put their lives in jeopardy on a consistent basis to protect our neighborhoods and communities. The UPFFA is comprised of locals in over 50 cities and towns including Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, Hamden, Norwalk, Meriden, New Britain, Groton, Norwich, and Middletown.

Murphy added, “This endorsement is not only significant because of the type of people Connecticut Fire Fighters are, but also because that no one knows the needs and concerns of our neighborhoods better.”

Since announcing his candidacy in January, Murphy has displayed a clear and growing momentum in the race to replace retiring Senator Joe Lieberman. In joining Team Murphy, Connecticut Fire Fighters join a long list of groups and individuals who have signed on to support this grassroots campaign, including three additional statewide labor organizations: The United Auto Workers, Connecticut Laborers, and the Connecticut State Building and Construction Trades Council. In just a few months, Murphy has further earned the support of Congressman John Larson, Congressman Joe Courtney, Congressman Rosa DeLauro, Congressman Jim Himes, Attorney General George Jepsen, Comptroller Kevin Lembo and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. Murphy also has the support of over 2,000 Democratic and progressive activists from across the state and raised an impressive $1.1 million in the first quarter of the campaign.

The official endorsement announcement will take place at 10:00 am this morning at the Field Street Fire HQ, 26 Field Street, Waterbury, CT.

# # #