"First Responders for Robin" Launches

Today, Robin Carnahan's campaign launched First Responders for Robin (www.robincarnahan.com/firstresponders) to bring together Missourians who share her commitment to the people who protect us every day. The group is co-chaired by Missouri first responders: Kevin Ahlbrand, President of Missouri Fraternal Order of Police; Tony Kelley, President of Missouri State Council of Firefighters; Jennifer Stuhlman, St. Louis County; Patrice Mullins, St. Charles County; Robert Palmer, Jackson County; and Shawn Martin, Greene County. Robin believes we must give our first responders the tools they need to keep us safe, which is why the Missouri State Council of Firefighters and the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police have endorsed her.

The tough economy has forced Missouri's state and local governments to make painful cuts to public safety services. And out of touch Washington politicians have slashed funding for cost-effective and proven programs like Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) - the main program supporting local Missouri police departments. Robin believes more must be done to protect our communities and keep cops and firefighters on the job.

As Secretary of State, Robin worked across party lines to establish the Safe at Home program, which provides a substitute mailing address to victims of domestic violence to help prevent their abusers from finding them. Since it started in August 2007, the program has helped more than 800 people.

"Robin Carnahan is the pick of the Missouri State Council of Firefighters for US Senate. She is a proven fighter for Missouri families and communities. We know that she will advocate for fully funding programs that keep our firefighters safe in the line of duty,said Tony Kelley, President Missouri State Council of Firefighters. "She will stand up to the corporate special interests and fight on the side of our local firefighters and other first responders in Washington."

Kevin Ahlbrand, President of the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Robin's candidacy saying,"Robin knows that in this tough economy, we must not turn our backs on the police officers that keep our communities safe. When it comes to supporting our local Missouri police and sheriffs departments, we know that Robin will fight for the funding that is critical to law enforcement."

While Robin will fight for our police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and all first responders, Congressman Roy Blunt has spent the past 14 years in Washington sticking it to those on the front lines serving our communities. In 2006, Cong. Blunt voted to cut $6.1 billion from homeland security and recently voted against emergency aid to keep thousands of law enforcement officers and firefighters on the job so they could continue protecting our communities. Blunt also secretly tried to insert into the Homeland Security Bill, a special provision benefitting tobacco giant Philip Morris, while he was dating that company's lobbyist and his son was a lobbyist for them. [Washington Post, 6/11/03; Vote #158, 5/18/06; Vote #991, 12/16/09]

"Robin Carnahan recognizes the demanding task law enforcement professionals are placed under in today's society and she is committed to providing local law enforcement agencies across the state with the proper equipment to combat all types of criminal activity."

- Mike S., Jackson County

Read More Statements and Videos From Supporters at:

www.robincarnahan.com/firstreponders