The Florida Police Chiefs Association endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time in 2020 when it endorsed then-President Donald Trump, but for 2024 the law enforcement group has chosen to endorse a different Republican presidential candidate.
The group announced Monday it is endorsing Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) for president, with FPCA President Keith Touchberry saying that DeSantis "backs the blue."
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“The Florida Police Chiefs Association is honored to fully endorse Governor DeSantis for President of the United States of America. From his commitment to safe communities and defending the rule of law, to his unwavering support for the profession of law enforcement through better pay and recruiting bonuses, Governor DeSantis backs the blue,” Touchberry said in a statement.
The group touted DeSantis's programs to incentivize police recruitment in the Sunshine State and the governor's support for law enforcement in the press release announcing the endorsement.
“Governor DeSantis cares about the men and women who risk their lives to protect the public, and he’s demonstrated that concern by making sure agencies have the resources to recruit and retain the most capable, professional officers," FPCA 2nd Vice President Charlie Vazquez said in a statement.
The group had previously endorsed Trump in 2020 and DeSantis, for governor, in 2022. When Trump received the endorsement from the group in October 2020, he said he was "honored" to be endorsed by the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
"I was honored to receive the first-ever Presidential Endorsement from the Florida Police Chiefs Association. Thank you, I will NEVER let you down!" Trump tweeted at the time.
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A different law enforcement group in the Sunshine State, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, which endorsed Trump in 2020, also announced it would be endorsing DeSantis for president in 2024. The group said the choice between the two Florida men "could not be clearer" in its endorsement of DeSantis.
The endorsement comes as DeSantis's campaign has stalled in polling, with Trump still maintaining a strong lead over the Florida governor and the rest of the field. The DeSantis campaign is reportedly retooling itself amid the struggle to gain ground in the GOP primary field. The first Republican presidential debate is in less than a month.