Brea, CA – Congressman Lou Correa announced his endorsement of Joe Kerr’s campaign for Supervisor today. Correa, who currently represents California’s 46th Congressional District, is the last Democrat to serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
In announcing his support, Correa released the following statement:
“During my time in the State Senate, Joe Kerr was a strong ally in the fight to secure Orange County its fair share of tax dollars from Sacramento. I know that Joe will be an effective Supervisor for our region, which is why I am proud to announce my support of his campaign.”
Prior to his election to Congress, Lou represented portions of Orange County in the California State Senate for two terms and the California State Assembly for three terms. He served on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing District #1, between 2004 and 2006.
Joe Kerr is a second-generation professional firefighter who served as a Fire Captain with the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Fire Department for over 25 years. He was the first President of the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association, the former Vice President of the California Professional Firefighters, as well as a former Vice President of the Orange County Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO).
Joe was named Fireman of the Year by the Cypress Fire Department in 1979, Overachiever of the Year by the Orange County Firemen’s Association in 1984, and Fire Captain of the Year by the Orange County Fire Department in 1986. In 1981, he was given a Certificate of Merit from the Orange County Board of Supervisors for his role in responding to the Air California jetliner crash at John Wayne Airport. He was also presented with the Courage Under Fire Award in 1999 for rescuing and reviving a non-breathing occupant who was trapped in a residential structure fire. After retiring in 2012, Joe received numerous awards and recognitions for helping to save the life of a baby who was drowning and had stopped breathing in a swimming pool.
Joe’s history of community service includes having served as an advisor to the Board of the Orange County Foundation for Oncology, Children and Families (OCF-OCF).
Joe grew up in La Habra and Cypress. He and his wife, China, are the proud parents of a 13-year-old son.