Police union backs DeSantis

Group endorses Republican candidate for governor 4 years after picking Democrat

A major union for police officers, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, is endorsing Republican Ron DeSantis for governor.

Four years ago, the Florida PBA endorsed the Democratic nominee for governor, Charlie Crist.

In Wednesday’s endorsement of DeSantis, the PBA president said DeSantis would be the kind of governor who would stand up for what he asserted are unfair efforts to malign police.

“The men and women of law enforcement want to tell Floridians that Ron DeSantis has our backs. That’s why I’m proud to announce that we have his back,” Florida PBA President John Kazanjian, said in a statement distributed by the DeSantis campaign.

Jeff Marano, president of the Broward County PBA, issued his own statement in support of DeSantis. “He has a proven track record of supporting issues relevant to law enforcement officers and their families.”

DeSantis, who met with the PBA on Wednesday in West Palm Beach, responded by praising the PBA and police in general.

“The brave men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line for us every day,” he said. “As governor, I will always stand with our law enforcement community and work with them to keep Florida safe every single day.”

Four years ago, the Florida PBA snubbed re-election seeking Republican Gov. Rick Scott and endorsed Democrat Crist. The other three statewide candidates the organization endorsed in the last midterm election were all Republicans.

Earlier Wednesday, Democratic governor nominee Andrew Gillum announced the endorsements of five sheriffs, all of whom are Democrats.

“As sheriff of Leon County, I have personally worked with Andrew, and have watched him work to build a safer community for our kids, work side by side with law enforcement to tackle violent crime, and stand up for common sense gun reform. As governor, I know he will carry the same level of integrity and dedication to the safety of all Floridians,” Sheriff Walt McNeil said in a statement distributed by the Gillum campaign.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said Gillum, in his current role as mayor of Tallahassee, “brought the police and community together, reduced crime and took on the gun lobby to keep our families safer.”

In his endorsement of DeSantis, Kazanjian asserted that police have been treated unfairly in recent years.

“As we’ve seen in the past few years, police have been scrutinized for doing their job and ‘kicked to the curb’ by special interest groups, media and politicians which have resulted in the rise of law enforcement officers being killed or assaulted in the line of duty,” he said.

He didn’t offer examples of how scrutiny of police has resulted in police being killed or assaulted.