On balance, PFFPNC had a solid day on Super Tuesday from the top of the ballot down to the General Assembly races and on both sides of political aisle.

At the top of PFFPNC’s watch list was the North Carolina Senate race in Wayne and Lenoir counties, where Sen. Jim Perry was in a battle with a fellow Republican candidate who took cheap shots at fire fighters in the closing days of the campaign. Perry, photographed with PFFPNC President Scott Mullins and Political Director Josh Smith, defeated his opponent by a 66-34 percent margin.

“Senator Perry is a friend to fire fighters and is working hard for us in the Senate, particularly on presumptive cancer, so his race was a top priority for PFFPNC,” Mullins said. “And it was icing on the cake to see a candidate go down who attacks fire fighters in mail pieces. It made knocking on 2,000 doors and working polls on election day for Senator Perry so much more worth it.”

PFFPNC went on to win most of its General Assembly races including Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford), Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Dare/Pamlico/Currituck/Hyde), Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax/Northampton), Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance) and Rep. Jamie Boles (R-Moore). The only General Assembly losses for fire fighters Tuesday night was Mark Hollo, a Republican, who was running for NC Senate in Catawba and Alexander counties, and Ben Scales, a Democrat, running for the NC Senate in Buncombe County.

At the Council of State level, PFFPNC had a split decision for its endorsed candidates in the races for Lieutenant Governor. Sen. Terry Van Duyn (D-Buncombe) qualified for a runoff election in the Democratic primary and Republican Greg Gebhardt lost.

In federal races, the IAFF’s endorsed presidential candidate Joe Biden, now the front runner, had a historical night on Tuesday by sweeping the southern states, showing surprise wins in Minnesota and Massachusetts and holding to a very strong second place finish in California.

PFFPNC’s endorsed candidates for US Senate Cal Cunningham easily won the Democratic nomination on Tuesday night and now faces incumbent Senator Thom Tillis in November. Also victorious was Deborah Ross and Kathy Manning, who won the Democratic nominations in the 2nd and 6th congressional districts respectively.

PFFPNC mourns the loss of Rep. Linda Johnson, a Cabarrus County Republican lawmaker, who died on Tuesday from cancer.

The 20-year veteran legislator was a high-ranking appropriations chair in the House who reveled in visits from fire fighters across North Carolina.

“Her door was always open for us and we were always greeted with a hug,” wrote PFFPNC DVP Ben Bobzien, who exchanged text messages and phone calls with Rep. Johnson just days before she died. “She was full of integrity, loyalty and strength, and I will miss her and her friendship. I pray for her family’s comfort and healing through this difficult and sad time.”

PFFPNC DVP Jeff Tracey, who also serves as president of the Cabarrus Professional Fire Fighters Association, praised Rep. Johnson for using her power at the appropriation table to protect money dedicated to the Line of Duty Death cancer benefit.

“She was a friend to fire fighters right here in her home district, and she was a friend to every fire fighter across North Carolina,” he said.

Rep. Johnson’s death was felt across North Carolina’s political world and across partisan lines, including Gov. Roy Cooper, who released a statement praising her public service to the state and Cabarrus County and ordering flags fly at high-staff.

PFFPNC expanded its social media platforms to include Instagram in 2020.

“We want to give our members – particularly our younger members one more platform to hear from PFFPNC,” said PFFPNC president Scott Mullins. “While Facebook and Twitter are our gold standard message platforms, particularly about fire fighter news pertaining to the General Assembly, we want to use Instagram to show another side of our work.”

Mullins said the Instagram site will mainly feature photographs submitted by members that include firehouse moments, active fires, community work and meetings with policymakers.

PFFPNC encourages members to visit the Instagram page at www.instagram.com/PFFPNC and to DM (direct message) the page with photos.

The 2019 PFFPNC convention got off to a great start on Monday with numerous speakers, legislative updates and more. Speakers included Gov. Roy Cooper who addressed the convention on Veteran’s Day saying, “I know you have a dangerous job not only because you can get hurt but because you can get sick because of the work you do. Municipalities should have your back.”

Gov. Cooper also took the time to personally speak and take photos with members.

We also heard from U.S Sen. Candidate Cal Cunningham, House Rep. David Lewis and state Sen. Jim Perry.

“It seems pretty simple; we have an issue, a problem – let’s fix it. We’ll continue to work hard to find a solution and get a solution across the finish line,” Sen. Perry said.

Sen. Perry is working on getting LODD and presumptive cancer bills updated, improved and most importantly passed.

Delegates also got an update on the legislative agenda with PFFPNC Political Director Josh Smith and New Frame’s Brian Lewis. The four big areas of legislative on our agenda are LODD benefits, separation allowance, presumptive cancer/PTSD and motorcycle license plates. We are making process getting more cancers added to LODD benefits and will continue to fight for the rights of fire fighters.

The morning also included nominations of officers and the election by acclamation of many positions. The PFFPNC election board is: President Scott Mullins, Sec./Tres. Josh Smith, DVP1 Jeff Tracey, DVP2 David Pollard, DVP3 Keith Wilder and DVP4 Ben Bobzien.

There will be an election Wednesday for three trustees positions. Nominees are Joey Welborn, Jerry Wiggins, Vinnie Messina and Ryan Merrill.

A few resolutions also were passed including the endorsement of Harold Schaitberger for IAFF president, Ed Kelly for Gen. Sec./Tres. and Walt Dix for DVP at next year’s IAFF convention.

Monday evening includes a PAC fundraising event at The Davie.

Convention will resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Speakers include Schaitberger and Kelly.

Click here for details on how to register for this year’s convention.