Firefighters Endorse Sununu After His Support of Presumption Law

Friday, September 28, 2018 | 0

For the first time since 2004, a New Hampshire firefighters' labor union is endorsing a Republican candidate for governor. It's largely because of the candidate's support for a  presumption law that provides workers' compensation coverage for firefighters with cancer.

Gov. Chris Sununu

The Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire this week endorsed Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, over Democratic challenger Molly Kelly, according to a local news report. 

"I can say with confidence that Gov. Sununu has yet to tell us ‘no’ on an important issue of ours,” said firefighters' union leader Bill McQuillen.

Sununu signed SB 541 in July. The law creates a presumption that cancer is compensable for firefighters with at least 10 years on the job and who work for a department that follows national fire-protection examination and safety standards.

If the department does not follow the standards, the claimants must guarantee that they never used tobacco and must have submitted reports after events that document exposure to carcinogens.

Meanwhile, Kelly, an attorney and former state senator, has received the support of the State Employees' Association.

"We need a governor who will stand with working families. Molly will be that governor,” said Rich Gulla, president of the local chapter of the state employees' union.