Joe Kerr

Joe Kerr's career experience includes working as a firefighter in roles such as fire captain with the Orange County Fire Authority. He was elected as the first president of the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association, a position he held for 17 years, and was the vice president of the California Professional Firefighters and the Orange County Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO). Kerr also served as vice chair of the Regional Water Quality Control Board.[1]

Joe Kerr did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Joe Kerr did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Kerr’s campaign website stated the following:

We have enough talkers in Congress. It’s time for leaders who will champion the most critical issues facing our country. That’s why you can count on me in Congress - I’ll fight like hell to protect reproductive freedom, offer solutions to climate change and gun violence, advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, and create an economy that works for all people.

Protect Reproductive Freedom

Reproductive freedom is personal to me. My son, Joey, was conceived through IVF (in vitro fertilization) which was protected by Roe v. Wade. Without Roe v. Wade, I would not be a dad. This personal experience ingrained in me a deep commitment to protect women’s healthcare and their freedom of choice. I will fight to:

>>> Codify Roe v. Wade

>>> Protect and advance reproductive freedom

>>> Protect Planned Parenthood from the anti-choice lobby

>>> Expand protections in women’s healthcare

>>> Improve access to affordable healthcare

>>> Advance paid maternity leave

>>> Improve access to contraception and safe and legal abortion

>>> Repeal the Hyde Amendment

Tackle Climate Change

We should be tired of politicians that talk about climate change but do nothing about it. I have concrete solutions that will reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate climatic extremes. I didn’t fight fires to just save lives and personal property - I fought them to also save the environment. Climatic extremes are deteriorating our environment and creating environmental injustice - wildfires are one of the main causes of these extremes.

Most don’t know this, but one 100,000-acre wildfire produces more CO2 greenhouse gas emissions than 7 million cars running simultaneously and continuously for a year. Even a 1-acre fire releases 12 tons of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions that remain in the atmosphere for the next 100 years. And in California, we can burn upwards of 4 million acres per year.

No other member of Congress would have this expertise. We can’t solve climate change without solving wildfires first. Who better to solve this problem than a 34-year firefighter. In Congress, I’ll fight to:

>>> Secure federal funding for AI technology that would identify wildfires across California before they become out-of-control

>>> Hold serial polluters accountable. As Vice Chair of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, I was one of the first in the country to fine serial polluters. I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again.

Economy That Works for All

As a labor leader, I have worked on behalf of California’s working people for decades. I led the charge to pass over 200 bills and initiatives and get them signed into law, some of which addressed policies to help working people. I will take this experience in the labor movement with me to Congress in an effort to create an economy that works for all people. I will:

>>> Fight for good jobs because good jobs feed a good economy. Jobs with healthy benefits so that workers can invest back into the economy.

>>> Support small businesses

>>> Ensure major corporations pay their fair share

>>> Fight for a common sense increase in the minimum wage

>>> Bring federal dollars back to the district, creating jobs right here at home

>>> Ensure there is equity in taxation - low for working families and the top 1% pays their fair share

>>> Grow the middle class, lower costs, and strengthen our economy

End Gun Violence

Just recently, there have been two mass shootings in the 40th Congressional District. In response, incumbent Young Kim continues to take money from the NRA and ignore this crisis. The shooting at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon hits close to home for me. It is a place my family would frequent for their Wednesday night spaghetti. For some reason that I still can’t explain, my family and I decided not to go that night. In Congress, I will lead on this issue:

>>> Gun registration - if we can require vehicles to be registered, we can require guns to be registered

>>> Universal background checks

>>> Removal of military grade weapons from our streets

>>> Stronger restrictions on firearm availability to those with mental health concerns or that are flagged to law enforcement

>>> Require insurance on firearms

>>> Remove the availability of high capacity magazines

>>> Enforce waiting periods

Affordability and Cost of Living

While we work to create an economy that works for all people, I will also lead the charge to make life more affordable in all aspects.

>>> Fight for Affordable Housing

What is affordable to one isn’t always affordable to another. We need to take a wholesome and aggressive approach to the housing crisis.

>>> Fight for Affordable Healthcare

As President of the Orange County Professional Firefighters, I created our own healthcare system for firefighters, retirees, and their families. It lowered the overall cost and increased benefits without raising taxes a single penny. I’ll take this knowledge with me to Congress as we fight for an affordable healthcare solution nationwide.

>>> Deliver Real Solutions on Homelessness

Unfortunately, at one point or another, a member of my family has experienced homelessness. And as a first responder, I have the real-life experience to tackle this issue in both the short-term and long-term.

More priorities:

>>> Make college more affordable

>>> Reduce the cost of living

>>> Bring down the cost of prescription drugs

>>> Protect Social Security and Medicare

LGBTQIA+ Protections

As a Fire Captain and labor leader, I had the honor of fighting to protect members of the LGBTQIA+ community, their economic opportunity, and equality in the workplace. I have assembled a campaign team that reflects the diversity of our district, including multiple members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In Congress, I will continue my work to protect the LGBTQIA+ community and expand their rights.

>>> Support and advocate for passage of the Equality Act.

>>> Protect marriage equality.

>>> Support increased funding for HIV and AIDS prevention, research, and treatment.

>>> Address anti-transgender discrimination through a wholesome federal response.

>>> Oppose any effort to discriminate and limit opportunity for LGBTQIA+ people, publicly or privately[2]

—John Kerr’s campaign website (2024)[3]

Joe Kerr did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.