Union leaders announced the nod at a press conference with McCormick Wednesday, and explained their decision not to back Casey after endorsing him in his three previous bids for Senate.
“Our endorsement decision wasn’t made lightly,” said Local 22 President Mike Bresnan, who noted a big factor in their decision was Casey’s absence from their communities.
“This election was the first time we ever met Senator Casey in all his years in office,” Bresnan said.
McCormick — who was joined at the presser by potential future colleague Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) — thanked the union and vowed to always show up for its members if elected.
“Whether it’s our police officers or our firefighters or our first responders, I will fight to ensure that those who put their lives on the line get the resources they deserve,” he said.
“And I feel a kinship — even though I wore a different uniform — to those who are willing to put on the uniform and put their lives at risk,” McCormick added, referring to his Army service during the Gulf War.
