On this week's episode of Meet The Candidates, Paul Corvino sits down with Joe Kerr, who's running for Congress in CA District 40.
JOE KERR BIO:
Joe has dedicated his entire career to public service, culminating in a distinguished 34-year tenure as a highly decorated Fire Captain with the Orange County Fire Authority. His commitment to service extended beyond firefighting, evident in various leadership roles where he made pivotal contributions.
As the inaugural President of the newly established union, Orange County Professional Firefighters Association (OCPFA) Local 3631, amidst the Orange County bankruptcy, Joe championed multiple causes: safeguarding firefighter livelihoods threatened by mass layoffs, thwarting the privatization of the paramedic program, and reclaiming stolen pension funds. His leadership and critical decision making skills during this time set a national precedent, signed into law by President Clinton, protecting pension funds for all public employees, a testament to his impactful legislative efforts. His legislative prowess shone, resulting in over 200 pieces of legislation signed into law by 5 CA Governors and 2 US Presidents, showcasing a bipartisan approach to effective governance.
During his 17-year tenure as OCPFA President, Joe transformed the OC firefighters from a neglected and marginalized force to one of the nation's most respected departments. His roles extended beyond the local sphere, serving as Vice President of the CA Professional Firefighters and the OC Central Labor Council. His persistent advocacy and representation of these 200k union members led to recognition with the esteemed Samuel Gompers Award from the Democratic Party of Orange County.
His municipal acumen proved instrumental during the 2008 Great Recession, asked by county leadership to balance the OCFA budget for 3 consecutive years, ultimately avoiding the imposition of new taxes and preventing another round of mass layoffs. Post-retirement, his negotiations with Governor Brown and the CA State Legislature resulted in the return of Vehicle License Fees, totaling over $500 million to date, growing by $70-90 million per year. To date, Joe has successfully returned over $1.5 billion to the people of Orange County through his career of implementing these cost-saving measures.
Amid the pandemic, Joe came out of retirement to volunteer in the vaccination efforts, dedicating tireless 12+ hour days, 6 days a week, vaccinating over 100k individuals in the underserved communities of this district.
Governor Newsom's appointment of Joe to the CA Water Quality Control Board, Region 8, in 2020 showcases his continued commitment to environmental advocacy. His leadership, including levying million-dollar fines on serial polluters, marks a proactive stance in ensuring environmental protection for generations to come.
His extensive endorsements from California Governor Gavin Newsom, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, nearly every California labor union, including the CA State Labor Federation, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, League of Conservation Voters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters reflect Joe's unwavering dedication and proven results as a leader. His candidacy embodies a fighter and the Congressional representative CA-40 deserves.