ALBEMARLE — Amid unrest in many cities and calls to defund the police, law enforcement associations are going all in on Republicans this election.
The North Carolina Troopers Association (NCTA), a NC Highway Patrol political action committee, recently announced its full list of endorsements for November’s general election. The list recommends dozens of the Republican Party candidates, including all three Republican candidates seeking to represent Stanly County at the state General Assembly.
The association officially endorsed Sen. Carl Ford, a China Grove resident who holds the NC Senate District 33 seat, and Rep. Wayne Sasser, an Albemarle resident seeking reelection for the NC House District 67 seat.
“I am honored to be endorsed by the North Carolina Troopers Association and will continue to support our law enforcement officers. Stay safe,” Sasser wrote in a corresponding Facebook post.
Richmond County Commissioner Ben Moss, who won the Republican primary for NC House District 66 and will face incumbent Democrat Scott Brewer in November, also received an endorsement from the NCTA.
“On behalf of the North Carolina Troopers Association, we are proud to endorse candidates who have a proven track record of supporting law enforcement and their families,” Danny Jenkins, president of the North Carolina Troopers Association, said in a press release.
“We are confident these candidates are the best choices to continue the association’s efforts to protect and provide for those who serve,” Jenkins continued. “Our troopers, along with all law enforcement professionals in the state, deserve the same level of support and dedication from their elected officials, as they give. For these reasons, we proudly support their candidacy.”
In 1977, the North Carolina Troopers Association was founded as a nonprofit, fraternal organization aiming to reinforce the advancement of criminal justice in North Carolina. Representing more than two thousand active and retired troopers, the association focuses on providing support to members of the North Carolina Highway Patrol and their families.
“The citizens of North Carolina have a choice to either elect lawmakers who will provide law and order within North Carolina, or those who wish to defund law enforcement and not stand with the men and women in blue,” Jenkins said. “We hope North Carolina citizens will stand with law enforcement and elect these courageous candidates who will continue to support our law enforcement officers across North Carolina.”
On Sept. 3, in another major law enforcement endorsement for Republicans, the Southern States Police Benevolent Association (SSPBA), announced its support for the reelection of President Donald Trump. At a “Cops for Trump” event in Raleigh, Vice President Mike Pence and US Senator Thom Tillis, among others, spoke to a crowd with a “law-and-order” themed message.
With the endorsement of President Trump, the SSPBA, which is composed of over 60,000 law enforcement officer members throughout the Southeast, made its first presidential endorsement in over 20 years.
“With the stakes as high as they are for the law enforcement profession today, we felt that we must speak up in support of the true law enforcement candidates,” SSPBA President Chris Skinner said in a press release. “In these times when many are attacking the law enforcement profession, it is imperative that law enforcement officers know that they are not on their own as they face the dangers of their job. We believe that President Trump and Vice President Pence have demonstrated that they understand and appreciate the honor and sacrifice of serving as a law enforcement officer.”