The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) endorsed Strickland in 2006, as pointed out in the link to 2006 FOP endorsements included in the below release from the O’Shaughnessy for Ohio Secretary of State campaign. Two releases are below, one from the re-election campaign of Governor Ted Strickland and one from Attorney General Richard Cordray who the FOP endorsed for Treasurer in 2006. Other campaigns that received the FOP endorsement (Dayton Daily News link): Rob Portman for U.S. Senate, Treasurer Kevin Boyce, Justice Maureen O’Connor for Chief Justice (FOP endorsed in 2008 run for Ohio Supreme Court Judge) and Justice Judith Lanzinger (FOP endorsed last election in 2004).
Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Strickland in Re-Election Campaign
COLUMBUS – Citing his commitment to law enforcement, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) today endorsed Ohio Governor Ted Strickland in his re-election campaign for governor over opponent Congressman John Kasich.
“The Fraternal Order of Police is proud to stand with Governor Ted Strickland in support of his re-election,” said FOP State President Jay McDonald. “The delegates at our annual conference voted to endorse Governor Strickland, who has been a strong partner with the law enforcement community during his first term in office. We look forward to continuing this relationship for years to come.”
Strickland has demonstrated his commitment to public safety by protecting the Local Government Fund from cuts and preserving local law enforcement jobs. He has also embraced the increase of Byrne/JAG grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and worked with local law enforcement organizations to help create and retain jobs with those resources, while making Ohio safer. [HB 119, 6/30/2007; HB1, 7/17/2009; http://www.ocjs.ohio.gov/]
“Today’s endorsement is a great honor. As governor I am deeply committed to helping Ohio’s law enforcement professionals in their daily efforts to keep Ohio families and streets safe,” Strickland said. “I will continue to fight for the policies that support the mission of these brave men and women.”
Strickland continued, “Congressman Kasich has proposed a reckless tax plan that would cause a massive hole in Ohio’s state budget and could lead to devastating cuts in public safety programs. Local governments responsible for funding police departments would have to either leave residents unprotected or dramatically increase property taxes to maintain services. As we recover from the economic recession created on Wall Street, we must continue to support our law enforcement personnel and protect local communities across the state.”
An analysis by the non-partisan Legislative Service Commission found that phasing out the income tax would lead to a $30 million loss in the Local Government Fund in 2011, with additional losses every year, leading up to a $285.9 million loss when the income tax would be fully repealed in 2020. [Legislative Service Commission, 12/30/09, 1/15/10]
OHIO FOP ENDORSES CORDRAY RE-ELECTION BID
State’s largest law enforcement organization throws weight behind incumbent
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Attorney General Rich Cordray announced Tuesday that he has received the endorsement of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, capturing one of the most important endorsements in the race for Attorney General this fall. The FOP endorsed Cordray in both of his last two campaigns for statewide office, including his most recent campaign for attorney general in 2008.
“I am very grateful to receive the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police,” Cordray said. “When I received their endorsement in 2008, I pledged as Attorney General to support local law enforcement in every way possible. Today’s endorsement indicates that the men and women on the front lines of law enforcement believe that my administration’s efforts are on track to help them to do their jobs, and I appreciate their support.”
The Ohio FOP is home to nearly 26,000 law enforcement officers throughout the state, including the vast majority of local police department officers and county sheriff’s deputies.
“We are pleased to endorse Attorney General Cordray for re-election,” said Jay McDonald, Ohio FOP President. “We think he has done a terrific job for law enforcement across Ohio, and we look forward to another four years of working with him to keep our state moving forward.”
As attorney general, Cordray is the top-ranking law enforcement official in Ohio. In this role, he is responsible for providing support services to local law enforcement agencies, including crime labs, forensic investigations, and special task forces.
Cordray has fought on the side of law enforcement on several key issues during his time as the state’s attorney general, including successfully arguing against home rule residency requirements in the Ohio Supreme Court as well as representing the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund against the illegal business and accounting practices of failed Wall Street giant AIG.
The latter effort recently resulted in a landmark $1 billion settlement from AIG and related defendants on behalf of retirees and investors.