Democrats Desperate to Redefine Demings as ‘Tough on Crime’… But Police Love Rubio
In the final weeks leading up to the November midterms, Democrats in Florida have struggled to find footing with voters.
Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist hoped to capitalize on Hurricane Ian to attack Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his leadership. Still, his party’s Democratic President repeatedly praised DeSantis for his response to the hurricane and spoke with him at events.
Now, Democrats are attempting a last-ditch effort to boost Senate candidate Val Demings in an uphill battle against incumbent Marco Rubio, R-Fl.
This week, the Lincoln Project released an advertisement to undermine Rubio’s ‘tough on crime’ stance by highlighting his support for former President Donald Trump amid FBI investigations against him.
The advertisement then prominently features Demings in police uniform during her tenure as chief of the Orlando Police Department.
A spineless sycophant who protects a criminal vs a former police chief with a distinguished record in law enforcement.
For a safer Florida, the choice could not be more clear.pic.twitter.com/7A98HYE5DG
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) October 12, 2022
“I know you have our back, and we got yours.” ~John Kazanjian, President of the Florida Police Benevolent Association to Sen. Rubio
Lizette Alvarez, writing for the Washington Post, also penned a puff piece for Demings this week that labeled her a ‘Law and Order’ Democrat.
“Demings wields her law-enforcement experience as a different kind of police shield: It deflects the soft-on-crime attacks that Republicans trot out every election cycle. Rubio has accused Demings of wanting to “defund the police,” to which she responds, “I am the police.” And she points out that while “Rubio was home in his bed sleeping,” she was confronting real-world dangers. Her background makes it easier to fend off jabs about gun reform.” Alvarez said.
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Demings may have trouble holding herself out as a law and order Democrat, however, as pro-police groups have overwhelmingly endorsed Rubio while groups advocating for defunding the police have endorsed her.
BREAKING: 30 Florida Sheriffs denounce @FLRising for wanting to defund the police, the group that has endorsed Charlie Crist, Val Demings, and other Democrats
"[Their rhetoric has] led to unspeakable violence against officers in our state and across the country."
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) October 12, 2022
Florida Rising, a group that endorses Demings and other Florida Democrats and advocates for defunding the police, was denounced by 30 Florida Sheriffs today, with the Sherriff’s saying that the group’s rhetoric has led to “unspeakable violence” against law enforcement officers.
Meanwhile, Senator Rubio has received the endorsement of a vast majority of Florida’s Sheriff’s and organizations representing tens of thousands of Florida’s law enforcement officers.
The Florida Police Benevolent Association Endorses Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate https://t.co/1Kg2pEsulA pic.twitter.com/POLxkFlJfB
— Jennifer Tammaro (@Jennanjack) June 22, 2022
Voters who prioritize crime as one of their most important issues have the decision to listen to Democratic partisans or law enforcement officers to determine who is ‘tough on crime.’
If voters choose to listen to law enforcement officers and the groups representing them, such as the Fraternal Order of Police, the choice is clear.
I’m on location with NEW info. The Fl Fraternal Order of Police, representing 24,000+ law enforcement officers across Fl endorses Sen. Rubio @TeamMarco instead of challenger @valdemings who is a former Chief of Orlando PD. More on her visit today also in Orlando @MyNews13 today. https://t.co/HrZ7n5ENiq pic.twitter.com/mt6Ppy49n5
— Ybeth Bruzual (@ybruzual) June 17, 2022
Perhaps no one summarizes law enforcement officers thoughts on the Florida Senate election better than John Kazanjian, President of the Florida Police Benevolent Association that represents 30,000 police officers. “I know you have our back, and we got yours.” He told Rubio.
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