Law enforcement unions are rallying behind New York Rep. Mike Lawler as the Republican congressman fights to hold onto a pivotal Hudson Valley House seat.
The endorsements from 11 unions and police organizations representing state and local law enforcement provide a significant lift for the two-term incumbent as he campaigns against Democrat Cait Conley.
“Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester Counties remain among the safest places in America to live and raise a family,” Lawler said Monday in Haverstraw, standing alongside police officers.
“It doesn’t happen by accident, it happens because of the people standing behind me and because the voters of this district keep saying ’no’ to the politicians that attack them,” he added.
“I will always back the blue, and I will always stand with the men and women of law enforcement.”
Among the organizations backing Lawler are the Police Conference of New York, the Rockland County PBA, the Port Authority PBA and the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, along with the Haverstraw and Carmel PBAs and others.
“I appreciate … that he puts my family before felons. He takes his job seriously,” said Mike O’Mara, president of the statewide Police Conference of New York.
“He really really represents us with a vigor and common sense attitude that is protecting our families, our schools, our police officers, always.”
Sean O’Connor, president of the Rockland County PBA said the union’s decision wasn’t based on party affiliation, but rather Lawler’s individual record in Congress and previously as a state Assemblyman.
“We proudly give Congressman Lawler our endorsement,” O’Connor said.
The slate of endorsements give Lawler key bona fides from law enforcement in the tight race against Conley, a former intelligence official in President Joe Biden’s administration, US Army combat veteran and West Point graduate.
Recent polling shows Lawler and Conley statistically neck-and-neck ahead of the November election.
The Cook Political Report rates New York’s 17th Congressional District as a toss up, the only such race in the state this cycle.
A spokesperson for Conley’s campaign declined to respond.
