Swope Endorsed by Fraternal Order of Police
Fraternal Order of Police Pinellas Lodge 43 has announced their endorsement for Scott Swope for Pinellas County Sheriff.
Scott Swope has released a press release stating that he has received the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 43 in Pinellas.
“It means a great deal tome to earn their trust and respect," Swope stated in the press release.
The Fraternal Order of Police sent Swope a letter and stated that because of his qualifications, he will be able to act for Pinellas County citizens with "distinction and honor”.
Previously, the Fraternal Order of Police was endorsing Everett Rice, current Sheriff Bob Gualtieri's competitor during the Republican primary, according to an article from Tampabay.com.
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 43 has representatives from St. Pete Beach, Gulfport, Belleair, St. Petersburg police departments, as well as the Pinellas County Sherrif's Office.
Lynda
11:13 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
I would really like more information than I have read anywhere about why the current sheriff is so unacceptable to this group that they would endorse in the primary a candidate so different from the candidate they are endorsing in the general election. The endorsement of ones employees counts. Anyone have ideas?
Harvey A. Smith
4:03 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Can you imagine the UAW endorsing the President of Ford should he decide to run for public office? It might be best to ask how many FOP members of the entire membership voted to endorse Rice the first time around and now Scott Swope. It's not at all unusual for some union members to have a beef with the "president" of the company. It doesn't necessarily mean one candidate is better than another nor does it always signify the endorsement represents the majority of the membership.
Lynda
4:56 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Thanks, H. Smith. I did assume there was some kind of vote of the membership so if there was not, it would be a good thing to know.
Ann McDowell
4:36 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Lynda, here are the facts: Harvey A. Smith is a Republican, and, therefore, biased against Swope, a Democrat. Harvey’s previous posts confirm his bias – see: http://gulfport.patch.com/blog_posts/a-political-swipe-by-swope#comment_4668993 and http://clearwater.patch.com/blog_posts/swope-attacks-gualtieri-on-warrant-issue . Harvey’s explanation has no relevance to the truth and makes no sense.
The endorsement of Swope by the FOP – 43, came at a meeting of members on September 18th. To see details, go to www.swopeforsheriff.com and click on the blog tab (the post is second from the top). Unlike the endorsement by the FOP – 43, the Suncoast PBA did not allow Swope to respond to a questionnaire or speak to their membership. Their membership did not vote on the endorsement; a ‘screening committee’ made the decision – see: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/gualtieri-announced-bonus-on-same-day-he-got-union-endorsement/1250336.
The FOP – 43 members did not vote for a candidate in the primary that is “so different from the candidate they are endorsing in the general election”. Scott and Everett have much in common which is why so many of Everett’s volunteers and supporters are now backing Scott. Both Scott and Everett have criticized the interim appointee because of his mismanagement of the agency which has resulted in low morale among deputies and loss of confidence by the public.