‘We know you will vigorously advocate to protect and defend the rights of all law enforcement officers.’
The Sunshine State’s largest police union is throwing its sizable weight behind Republican veteran Dan Green’s candidacy for Florida’s 9th Congressional District.
In a letter this week, the Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA), which represents around 31,000 law enforcement and corrections professionals statewide, confirmed it is backing Green over incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto.
The group’s President, John Kazanjian, said Green has “devoted many years of (his) career to public service, proudly serving our country in the United States Armed Forces.”
Green is an Afghanistan and Iraq war veteran and active drilling reserve officer with the U.S. Navy, boasting 23 years of service. He served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense during President Donald Trump’s first term.
“Throughout your career, you have demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety and to the men and women who risk their lives every day maintaining public safety,” Kazanjian said, adding that the PBA believes Green will advocate for increased wages and enhanced officer recruitment efforts.
“Because of your proven track record, tenacity, and commitment to public safety, we know you will vigorously advocate to protect and defend the rights of all law enforcement officers in the United States Congress.”
The PBA nod adds to endorsements Green received from the War Veterans Fund; SEAL PAC; U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy; U.S. Reps. Mike Haridopolos, Tom Barrett, Troy Downing, Jake Ellzey, Pat Harrigan, Jim Jordan, Rich McCormick, August Pfluger, Matthew Van Epps and Ryan Zinke; former U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia; state Sen. Danny Burgess; state Reps. Patt Maney and Dana Trabulsy; Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon; Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey; Indian River County Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan; Indian River County Commissioner Joe Flescher; Indian River Shores Mayor Brian Foley; and Sebastian Mayor Fred Jones.
Green narrowly won a seven-candidate GOP Primary for CD 9, which covers Glades, Indian River, Highlands, Okeechobee and Osceola counties and parts of Orange and Polk counties under a new congressional map Trump demanded and Gov. Ron DeSantis and the GOP-dominated Legislature delivered in late April.
An internal poll Soto’s campaign released early last month showed him and Green neck-and-neck in the district, with 41% of voters supporting each candidate. That’s despite the district’s rightward leaning, which led pollsters to use a sample of 47% Republicans, 34% Democrats and 19% voters who belonged to a third or no party.
Election Day is Nov. 3.