The announced endorsements include several key races to watch this upcoming November election cycle.
The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) recently announced that it would be endorsing all Republican statewide candidates ahead of the November election.
The law enforcement organization is endorsing Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, John Husted for U.S. Senate, and Robert Sprague for secretary of state.
Other endorsements include Keith Faber for attorney general, Frank LaRose for auditor of state, and Jay Edwards for treasurer of state.
The FOP issued a total of eight endorsements on Tuesday. President Jay McDonald said that he believes the endorsed Republican candidates will support law enforcement more consistently than Democratic candidates.
Candidates from both parties sought the FOP’s endorsement.
“Our members take these decisions seriously because the officials elected statewide have a direct impact on public safety, the justice system, and the working conditions of law enforcement officers. We’re not asking for anything revolutionary – we want candidates with a proven commitment to supporting law enforcement and standing with us on issues that help our members keep their communities safe,” said McDonald in a recent statement.
Top areas of concern for FOP members this election cycle are pension rights, PTSD coverage, and equipment and training needs, according to McDonald.
“We put the politicians who should be ashamed of themselves in our Protect Ohio Police Hall of Shame. We expect our endorsed candidates to be our partners in keeping Ohio safe,” he added.
The FOP has backed Democrats in some election cycles. In 2018, the organization supported all but one Democrat statewide candidate.
In recent years, the FOP has supported mostly Republican candidates.
The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police represents a total of 24,000 officers across the state. They represent a key endorsement for Republican candidates ahead of November’s election.
McDonald said, “Our people see what they believe to be attacks on law enforcement, and those attacks often come from the Democratic Party.”
