Third District Candidate James Ramos Touts County Firefighters' Endorsement

Update 3:45 p.m. San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters Local 935 has about 440 members, Local 935 president Ken Lewis said in a phone interview Wednesday.

Lewis, a San Bernardino County Fire Department captain, confirmed Local 935's endorsement of James Ramos for Third District county supervisor.

Posted 3:05 p.m. Third District challenger James Ramos, who is running to represent an area that includes Redlands and Loma Linda, announced Wednesday the San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters labor union has endorsed his candidacy.

San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters Local 935 is part of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

"The announcement is another major blow to Neil Derry's campaign as a former supporter is now backing James Ramos in the November election," Ramos spokesman Andre Levesque said in a statement. "Previously Ramos announced the support of former Derry supporters SEBA and San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association."

Derry has yet to remove the County Firefighters from his website, Levesque said.

"He should edit his website immediately so he doesn't mislead voters," Levesque said. "I think he will notice that his endorsement list is shrinking quickly. Not a good sign for his reelection chances when the endorsement list gets smaller as Election Day approaches."

Derry laughed when he learned of Levesque's remarks.

"The firefighters withdrew their support because I proposed pension reform in the county of San Bernardino," Derry said in a phone interview. "And James Ramos opposed pension reform.

"I am not owned by public employee unions, unlike my opponent, who will do or say anything to get elected."

The Third District of San Bernardino County is home to about 407,000 residents and it covers roughly 2,700 square miles.

For more info about Ramos' campaign, visit www.RamosForSupervisor.com.

For more info about Derry's campaign, visit neilderry.com.

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