Fire Union Endorses Shannon Hardin for Mayor

Columbus Fire Union IAFF Local 67 backs Hardin in the city's 2027 mayoral race, citing his support for the department.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Unions

Brick fire station facade with closed arched bay doors and a flagpole under overcast autumn sky, with a distant city skyline. — Columbus Fire Union IAFF Local 67 endorsed State Rep. Shannon Hardin for mayor Wednesday, as the 2027 race takes shape. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Columbus Fire Union IAFF Local 67 formally announced its endorsement of Shannon Hardin for mayor on Wednesday, ahead of the 2027 race. Mayor Andrew Ginther's campaign responded by citing his record with labor unions.

Why it matters

The endorsement positions labor support as a central issue in the 2027 Columbus mayoral contest. The race could determine whether the city gets new leadership for the first time in more than a decade.

IAFF Local 67 announced its endorsement on Wednesday, and Ginther has served as mayor since 2016. The source does not detail the endorsement vote count or the union's full membership figures.

The players

Shannon Hardin

Shannon Hardin is a candidate in the 2027 Columbus mayoral race who received the Columbus Fire Union's endorsement.

Andrew Ginther

Andrew Ginther has served as mayor of Columbus, Ohio since 2016 and is seeking to counter the endorsement by pointing to his labor record.

Columbus Fire Union IAFF Local 67

Columbus Fire Union IAFF Local 67 is the local chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters representing Columbus firefighters.

The details

Former Columbus Fire Chief Jeff Happ voiced support for Hardin, and Fire Union President Steve Stein said Hardin has been supportive of the department. Hardin has said he plans to establish a fire and EMS comprehensive initiative and to update fire station facilities to reflect where Columbus is growing.

2016: Andrew Ginther began serving as Columbus mayor.
Wednesday (week of November 11, 2026): IAFF Local 67 announced its endorsement of Shannon Hardin.
2027: Columbus mayoral election.

Political Context

The 2027 race is framed as potentially ending Ginther's tenure, which began in 2016, making it the first open leadership contest in over a decade. Labor endorsements in municipal races often signal which coalition of public-sector workers a candidate expects to mobilize.

Columbus residents will see labor and public-safety priorities shape the 2027 mayoral debate. Hardin's proposals for predictable firefighter recruit schedules and station upgrades are the concrete commitments voters can compare against candidates.

The takeaway

Union endorsements can signal which public-sector priorities a candidate will emphasize once in office. Voters can track whether campaign promises on fire department staffing and facilities are carried into specific proposals.