Firefighters endorse two for city council

The political-action arm of the Newport Beach Firefighters Assn. took an unprecedented step when it endorsed two Newport Beach City Council candidates who are running against each other.

The association last week announced it will support appointed incumbent Leslie Daigle as well as Barbara Venezia, both of whom are seeking the district 4 seat. The group also endorsed: Michael Henn in district 1, Mayor Don Webb in district 3, appointed incumbent Ed Selich in district 5, Nancy Gardner in district 6 and appointed incumbent Keith Curry in district 7.

While several candidates and council members said it’s hard to gauge the influence of the fire association endorsement, they agreed it can provide a boost.

“I think there is clearly a constituent base in this city that is so public safety-minded that they take that into consideration,” Councilman Tod Ridgeway said.

Daigle and Venezia both got endorsements because they have promoted public safety in different ways, Newport Beach Firefighters Assn. President Jeff Boyles said.

“We’ve decided to go with a dual endorsement for that [race] based on the fact that both candidates have demonstrated a track record of supporting public safety and the fire service,” Boyles said.

Venezia and Daigle said they’re happy to have the fire association’s backing, and neither said she thinks sharing the endorsement diminishes its value.

“I think they did the fair thing,” Venezia said.

Along with the association’s endorsement comes other support — mailers, phone banks and precinct walkers.

Boyles said the group will have about $40,000 to spend on this election. With six of the seven council seats on the ballot, he said, “it’s pretty important for us — I see spending it all.”

The new council will be seated around the time a new fire chief will replace retiring Chief Tim Riley, and members will have to decide on a new contract for firefighters and whether the department needs more staff, new ladder trucks and another station to serve the Newport Coast area, Boyles said.

The association also issued its endorsements early, so candidates could list it in their ballot statements, which were due to the city clerk Friday.

Councilman Steve Rosansky, the only member who’s staying on the council but is not on the November ballot, said he ran in 2000 without a fire association endorsement and with it in 2004. He won when he had the endorsement, though he was also an appointed incumbent.

“I think it’s very influential,” Rosansky said. “I think one of the top concerns of the residents is public safety, after the airport and traffic.”