FOP Backs Alex Sink

It looks like law enforcement groups have placed their bet in the 2010 gubernatorial election -- and it is on Democratic nominee Alex Sink over Republican nominee Rick Scott.

On Thursday, state CFO Sink became the first Democratic gubernatorial candidate since Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1994 to win the backing of the Florida Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Sink also received the backing of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).

"It is a privilege to have such strong support from the Florida law enforcement community, said Sink. These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day to keeping our families and communities safe and I have the utmost respect for their service.

"I have always supported the courageous work our law enforcement officers do for the people of Florida, and it's an honor to have both the Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Benevolent Association strongly behind my campaign, added Sink. Public safety and law and order are the primary responsibility of government, and I will always support our brave men and women who wear the badge."

"Alex Sink's support of law enforcement and public safety is unwavering, and she is the kind of honest, upstanding leader all Floridians need on their side in Tallahassee," said FOP President James Preston, whose organization backed Republican candidate Pam Bondi for attorney general earlier in the week. "We know we can count on Alex to look out for the needs of law enforcement officers and to put the safety of law-abiding Floridians first. Alex Sink has been a strong advocate and loyal friend to the professional law enforcement officers who make up the FOP, and we are proud to support her."

While no politician would complain about law enforcement's endorsement, its support does not always translate to electoral victories. Attorney General Bill McCollum won the backing of law enforcement leaders across the state, too, but it did not help him prevail over Scott in last month's Republican gubernatorial primary.