Rick Scott announces 55 sheriffs’ endorsements

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday that 55 out of the 67 sheriffs in Florida are endorsing his run for U.S. Senate.

Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma are among those backing Scott, but the sheriffs of Orange and Osceola counties aren’t on the list.

“Throughout my time as governor, I have been honored to partner with Florida’s law enforcement leaders to champion important public safety investments and legislation to keep our families, visitors and communities safe,” Scott said at a campaign event in St. Petersburg. “These brave, hardworking heroes help make Florida the best place for families to achieve their dreams, and today, I am proud to accept the endorsement of 55 Florida sheriffs from all across the state.”

Scott also praised law enforcement for responding to natural disasters and mass shootings, but took a sideswipe at his opponent, incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson, for not demanding more accountability at the FBI.

The FBI received a tip that Nikolas Cruz, the ex-student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland who shot and killed 17 students and faculty in February, was dangerous but failed to follow up on it.

The FBI also interviewed Omar Mateen for possible ties to terrorist groups years before he killed 49 and wounded 53 June 12, 2016, at Pulse nightclub.

“Unfortunately, we have not seen the same public safety leadership we have here in Florida at the federal level,” Scott said. “We have seen the FBI fail time and time again to take action when they were warned about impending tragedy in Florida, with no accountability or transparency for the families whose lives were forever changed. It’s infuriating that the FBI has ignored our calls for answers, and that politicians in Congress have not done more to demand responsibility. Florida families deserve more.”