St. Louis Police Officers Association Endorses Jay Nixon for Governor

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Police Officers Association (Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 68) today announced its endorsement of Attorney General Jay Nixon for Governor, citing Nixon's tough-on-crime record.

Sgt. Gary Wiegert, president of the SLPOA Executive Board, said the Association has endorsed Attorney General Nixon because of his strong record of fighting crime, protecting consumers and cleaning up government corruption.  Although the SLPOA often has endorsed Republican candidates in past elections, including the 2004 gubernatorial race and the 2000 and 2006 U.S. Senate races, Sgt. Wiegert said Nixon was the Association's clear choice for governor in 2008.

"For 16 years, Jay Nixon has been a no-nonsense Attorney General.  He has always been tough on crime and strong in his support of local law enforcement, so it's our honor to support him as our candidate for Governor," Sgt. Wiegert said.  "We know Jay will work tirelessly as Governor to protect Missouri's families, and he'll continue to be an advocate for our officers.  Jay will provide the smart ideas and strong leadership needed to keep Missouri safe and move us forward."

Nixon said it was a special honor to receive the SLPOA endorsement.

"I believe our police officers are local heroes. They put their lives on the line everyday to protect our communities, and they deserve a Governor who will stand with them," Attorney General Nixon said.  "As Attorney General, I've teamed with law enforcement officers in St. Louis and across the state to take violent criminals off the streets.  As Governor, I will continue to work with the law enforcement community to make our communities safer and move our state forward.  I am truly honored to have the support of the St. Louis police officers."

The SLPOA represents 1,152 active and 1,142 retired members. The organization's members serve an estimated 343,000 citizens.

Attorney General Nixon has a long record of cracking down on crime in Missouri.  Since taking office in 1993, Nixon's office has obtained at least 194 murder or homicide convictions and has assisted with at least 5,445 special prosecutions across Missouri, saving counties millions of dollars.

As Attorney General, Nixon also has been a national leader in protecting consumers and combating health care fraud.  Nixon's Consumer Protection Division has saved or generated more than $84.4 million for consumers since 2001 by enforcing Missouri's consumer protection laws, and his "No Call List" is now regarded as a model nationwide.  In addition, Nixon's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which has recovered more than $79 million since 2001, is ranked first in the region and second nationally in the amount recovered when compared to the amount of federal grant dollars received.

Prior to his election as Attorney General, Nixon served for six years as a State Senator, voting to strengthen laws against the sexual abuse of children and to allow battered spouse syndrome to be used as a defense in criminal cases.  As one Missouri newspaper noted, for his work on these vital issues, Nixon "is recognized nationally as a leader in criminal law and victims' rights issues." [Washington Missourian, 10/24/04]