The Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) endorsed Marco Rubio for re-election at a press conference in Doral on Monday night. The Florida PBA is comprised of 30,000 active duty law enforcement officers.
This marks the third major law enforcement endorsement for Rubio. A bipartisan group of 55 of Florida’s 66 sheriffs endorsed Rubio in January and the 1000+ member Florida Police Chiefs Association endorsed Rubio in April.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that 30,000 strong endorse Senator Marco Rubio,” John Kazanjian, the president of the Florida PBA. “I know you have our back, and we got yours.”
“If something terrible happens tonight, you’re gonna dial those three numbers…and someone with a uniform on is going to show up and they’re going to be willing to put their lives on the line to save yours or someone you love,” Rubio said. “This is a very difficult job. We need to honor and respect the people who do it.”
“I don’t know of any other time when it’s been so important to support law enforcement across this country than it is right now. I think back to that summer of 2020, when it was in vogue among some to go out and criticize and attack law enforcement,” Rubio continued. “I’m deeply honored by this endorsement.”
“He’s been a true champion for law enforcement from the day he was [elected] in West Miami to where he’s at today,” said Steadman Stahl, the South Florida PBA president. “It’s leaders like him that are going to make this a better country. This is a no-brainer.”
U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., who served more than 25 years in law enforcement and rose to become Orlando’s police chief, is the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Rubio in November.
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