The Arizona Police Association, which has traditionally backed Republican candidates, has made a surprising move as the 2024 election approaches, endorsing Democrat Representative Ruben Gallego for the U.S. Senate. In a press release issued Monday, the association, known as the largest police and public safety group in the state representing thousands of active law enforcement officers, proudly announced its support for Gallego.
“The largest police/public safety association in the state, representing thousands of active law enforcement officers, proudly announces its endorsement of Representative Ruben Gallego to represent Arizona in the United States Senate,” the statement read.
This endorsement marks a significant shift for the Arizona Police Association, which supported Republican candidates Kari Lake for governor and Blake Masters for U.S. Senate in the 2022 election. Notably, the group did not endorse Gallego during his previous campaigns, despite his incumbency, as highlighted by Camaron Stevenson, chief political correspondent for The Copper Courier, in a post on X.
Justin Harris, President of the Arizona Police Association, emphasized the importance of Gallego’s background and understanding of the challenges faced by law enforcement. “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 expectation,” Harris said in the release.
“The APA does not take our endorsement lightly; we recognize the importance of having a U.S. Senator that can bring people together to improve society for all. We believe Congressman Gallego will be that U.S. Senator.” The endorsement reflects the association’s confidence in Gallego’s ability to navigate the complexities of modern policing and bring diverse groups together to address societal issues.
As the 2024 Senate race heats up, the backing of such a prominent law enforcement organization could provide a significant boost to Gallego’s campaign. This decision also underscores the evolving political landscape in Arizona, where endorsements are increasingly crossing traditional party lines.