Ed Romaine earned a historic backing in his bid for Suffolk County Executive. The county’s law enforcement coalition announced their backing of the Republican candidate on Friday, the first time the group has unanimously endorsed a Republican candidate for the position.
Noel DiGerolamo, president of Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association (PBA), said, “This was an easy choice for us, given Supervisor Romaine’s history, of his public safety support and the men and women who perform those services on a regular basis,” and Romaine stressed his support and vision in an address.
“What we need is to invest in our public safety,” Romaine said. “To ensure that all of our residents stay safe, that we keep crime away from our door, that we do the things that are necessary to have a great county.”
The endorsement was announced at the PBA Headquarters, and representatives from various groups were in attendance. Groups include Suffolk County’s Detectives Association, Detective Investigators, and Correction Officers Association.
Romaine said he is grateful for the support and is looking to aid their efforts in fighting crime in local communities.
“We need to give them the tools so that they can do their jobs, so that they can be effective, so that they can protect us,” Romaine added. “I’m running for County Executive to do exactly that.”
The announcement comes just over a week after he earned the support of the Suffolk Association of Municipal Employees. President Dan Levler was also in attendance for the endorsement.
“They take these jobs because they want to do good in the communities that they serve,” Levler said. “And part of being able to do that is making sure that we have enough people, that they’re properly trained, that we have the equipment necessary to allow that to happen, to protect the health and safety of the residents, so that’s the core of the reason why we are here supporting Ed Romaine.”
Romaine will go up against Democratic nominee Dave Calone at the polls on November 7.
While Election Day is a few weeks away, Romaine said is looking to make the most of the historic decision to win the position.
“These are the people that stand for us and against those who would harm us. I stand with them everyday,” Romaine said. “Should I be fortunate enough to win this office, I will stand with them everyday and remember their service to the residents of Suffolk County.”
