The Arizona Police Affiliation (APA) turned heads not too long ago by endorsing liberal Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego in Arizona’s U.S. Senate race, regardless of Gallego’s controversial historical past on regulation enforcement points and the APA’s simultaneous help of former President Donald Trump.
“Congressman Gallego has continually fought for robust, increased funding for America’s Law Enforcement, and specifically Arizona Law enforcement,” the APA mentioned in a press release Monday, arguing that Gallego helped safe $168 billion in “direct support of police officers so that they have the personnel and equipment needed.”
The transfer to again the Democrat over Republican Kari Lake comes regardless of the group endorsing Lake’s bid for governor over the past election cycle and simply days after it introduced its endorsement of Trump within the presidential race.
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U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake speaks throughout a marketing campaign rally of former President Donald Trump on the Desert Diamond Enviornment in Glendale, Arizona, Aug. 23, 2024. (Photograph by OLIVIER TOURON/AFP through Getty Photographs)
“As a Marine combat veteran, we know Congressman Gallego understands the complexities of modern policing in American society today, while at the same time recognizing the public’s expectations,” APA President Justin Harris mentioned in a press release posted to X.
“I am proud to have the APA’s support and look forward to working with them in the Senate to ensure Arizona’s law enforcement officers have the resources necessary to combat fentanyl trafficking, train the next generation of officers, and, above all, keep Arizona families safe,” Gallego mentioned in a press release connected to the APA launch.
The transfer additionally comes as Gallego’s report on police points has come underneath elevated scrutiny, together with an Arizona Solar Occasions report final week that detailed the lawmaker’s report and statements on regulation enforcement.
In a single occasion detailed by the report, Gallego argued for restrictions on police use of sure weapons as a result of they “don’t know how to use” them in a “safe manner.” In one other occasion, he posted on social media about his effort to prohibit police departments from with the ability to entry navy gear.
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake speaks throughout Day 2 of the Republican Nationwide Conference on the Fiserv Discussion board in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
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The report additionally detailed Gallego’s historical past of social media posts in help of Black Lives Matter within the aftermath of George Floyd’s loss of life in 2020, together with one put up wherein he argued that protesters “aren’t the bad guy” and that “the bad guys were the one behind the police line.”
“Signing major reforms into law & transforming the culture of law enforcement remains a matter of life & death, especially for Black communities,” the Arizona lawmaker mentioned in a separate put up on the one-year anniversary of Floyd’s loss of life. “We cannot stop fighting for racial justice.”
The APA’s determination was blasted by Lake’s marketing campaign, which has made public security a centerpiece of the race in Arizona.
“Ruben Gallego supported defunding the police and vilified law enforcement while serving in Congress,” a Lake spokesperson informed Fox Information Digital. “He supports open borders and is weak on crime. Kari Lake will always back the blue and support law enforcement and safe communities.”
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. (in poor health Clark/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photographs)
However, the APA opted to again Gallego, noting his help for laws such because the Make investments to Shield Act and Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Native Legislation Enforcement Act.
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“The APA does not take our endorsements lightly; we recognize the importance of having a U.S. senator that can bring people together to improve society for all,” he added. “We believe Congressman Gallego will be that U.S. Senator.”
When reached for remark, a spokesperson for Gallego referred Fox Information Digital to the lawmaker’s assertion within the APA launch. The APA didn’t instantly reply to a Fox Information Digital request for remark.
