By Hillary Chabot
The Boston Herald
BOSTON — Tempers flared yesterday after a firefighters union demanded GOP gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker take down a campaign commercial featuring several jakes — but his aides refused, saying the blaze battlers signed off on the ad.
“We are well aware of the unions that are lining up behind Gov. (Deval) Patrick to try and protect the status quo,” said Baker spokeswoman Amy Goodrich. “I’m sure it comes as a surprise to the union leadership that many of their members do not agree with them.”
The Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts — who have endorsed Patrick — demanded yesterday afternoon that Baker take down an ad called “The Choice.”
The ad depicts the Swampscott Republican speaking with firefighters at the Big E festival in Springfield.
“The campaign never contacted us, nor did we at any point sign release forms or grant permission to the campaign for the use of this footage that clearly gives the impression of an endorsement,” said PFFM president Robert B. McCarthy.
The union represents more than 12,000 Bay State firefighters.
All people taped in Baker campaign ads are required to sign a release allowing the campaign to use their images, according to Baker campaign officials.
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