Sheriffs Chronister, Judd & Nocco Endorse Laurel as Best CD 15 Candidate for Law Enforcement
Tampa, Fla. – Republican candidate for Florida Congressional District 15 Laurel Lee today announced that the sheriffs in the district – Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco – have endorsed her campaign for Congress.
“I am honored to support Laurel Lee as the best candidate to serve Hillsborough County in the United States Congress,” said Sheriff Chronister. “One of my pledges as Hillsborough County Sheriff is to build a better, safer Hillsborough County, and having the right people represent us in Congress is a big part of that mission. I know Laurel Lee will fight for our community just like my deputies and I do every day.”
“I’ve worked in Polk County law enforcement for 50 years, so not only do I know our county very well, but I know that our men and women of law enforcement need leaders that will support the difficult and challenging job that they do each and every day,” said Sheriff Judd. “It is because of this that I’m pleased to endorse Laurel Lee to represent us in Washington. I believe she is the right choice in the Congressional District 15 race.”
“Laurel Lee is our choice for Congressional District 15, and she’s the one we need representing our Pasco County in Washington,” said Sheriff Nocco. “Not only does she have experience in law enforcement locally, when she served as a prosecutor and a judge, but Laurel is also the right choice to have fighting for law enforcement in Congress. I proudly ask Pasco County voters to join me in supporting Laurel in November.”
“I’m grateful to have the endorsements of Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco,” said Lee. “Each has served their communities well and with distinction. As a former prosecutor and judge, I fully understand the vital role of law enforcement and the importance of ensuring the safety of our citizens. I have a deep understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices our law enforcement – and their families – make in the name of public service on a daily basis. I intend to continue fully supporting and fighting for our law enforcement in Washington.”
Lee has over 50 armed service veterans who have lent their names in support of her campaign for Congress, and she has received the endorsements of Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen, former State Attorney Mark Ober, and numerous local elected officials. She has also received the endorsements of the Everglades Trust, the Tampa Police Benevolent Association, the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, Tampa Firefighters Local 754 and the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board.
The newly drawn Congressional District 15 encompasses eastern Hillsborough County, along with parts of Pasco and Polk Counties.
Laurel was appointed by Governor DeSantis as Florida’s 36th Secretary of State in January 2019 and served in this position until May 2022. During her tenure as Secretary of State, she worked to strengthen Florida’s elections infrastructure and cybersecurity defenses, increased voter registration and participation, and ensured accurate and secure elections in Florida. Following Florida’s successful 2020 election, Laurel was recognized as a national leader on election policy and security. She was a member of the Election Integrity Commission for the Republican State Leadership Committee. She also served on the Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council, the executive committee and as policy chair for the Republican Secretaries of State Committee, and on the executive board and co-chair of the Elections Committee for the National Association of Secretaries of State, where she spotlighted the success of Florida on the national stage. Prior to serving in the DeSantis administration, Laurel served as a Circuit Court Judge in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott. Before becoming a judge, Laurel served as a federal prosecutor for the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida. Raised by a two-star general in the United States Air Force and a public school teacher, Laurel has family ties in eastern Hillsborough County that go back more than 70 years.
For more information on the Laurel Lee for Congress campaign, visit votelaurel.com and follow @VoteLaurel on Facebook and @Vote_Laurel on Twitter.
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| Paid for by Laurel Lee for Congress |