Deputies union endorses DeSantis

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis will visit Plantation on Friday to accept the endorsement of a law enforcement union that has been critical of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, a campaign spokesman said Wednesday.

About 85 percent of the Broward Sheriff ’s Office Deputies Association voted to endorse DeSantis, who faces Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

The group, which represents a portion of deputies, voted in the wake of the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland that killed 17 it had “no confidence” in Israel’s leadership.

DeSantis, a Republican, says he would have removed Israel from office if he was governor, criticizing his leadership.

“We’re very proud to have the endorsement of the BSO Deputies Association,” campaign spokesman Stephen Lawson said.

The union’s contract covers 1,300 deputies and sergeants. The Broward Sheriff’s Office employs about 5,400 people.

Another union, the Federation of Public Employees renewed its contract by a vote of 1,111 to 38, which correlated with a vote of support and confidence in the sheriff.

Israel, a Democrat, was among 22 county and city elected officials who hosted a fundraising breakfast for Gillum this past month in Fort Lauderdale.

Israel was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2016. He’s not scheduled to face voters again until 2020.