| Brea, CA – State Senator Tony Mendoza announced his endorsement of Joe Kerr’s campaign for Orange County Supervisor today. Mendoza, who represents the majority of Buena Park in California’s upper house, joins a growing list of endorsements for Kerr, which includes Congressman Lou Correa, State Assemblymember Tom Daly, and former Anaheim Councilmember Lorri Galloway.
In announcing his endorsement, Mendoza released the following statement: “I am endorsing Joe Kerr for Supervisor because he is a smart, hardworking, and thoughtful leader who understands the importance of building consensus in order to get things done. Joe is committed to bringing innovation to Orange County’s government, and we can count on him to champion policies that grow the middle class and protect our most vulnerable residents. I urge you to join me in supporting Joe Kerr for Supervisor.”
Tony Mendoza has represented portions of Los Angeles and Orange Counties in the California State Senate since 2014. He previously served three terms in the California State Assembly and as the Mayor and Councilmember in the city of Artesia. Before his tenure in the legislature began, Mendoza worked as a 4th grade teacher.
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.
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