The race for Florida Governor got a major update today. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, one of the most well-known law enforcement figures in the state and arguably the country, officially endorsed Byron Donalds.
Sheriff Judd is famous in Florida for his tough stance on crime. By endorsing Donalds, he joins a growing list of high-profile supporters. That list already includes Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and 27 other Florida sheriffs. Many members of Congress and state lawmakers have also picked Donalds as their choice.
In his statement, Sheriff Judd explained why he made the move. He focused heavily on safety and keeping order.
“It’s my honor to energetically support Byron Donalds to be our Governor because he boldly supports law enforcement and holding criminals accountable,” Judd said.
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Judd noted that Donalds supports strict sentencing laws and opposes letting prisoners out on early parole. He believes Donalds understands that safety is the most important job of the government.
Byron Donalds welcomed the support. He called Judd a “nationally respected sheriff” and promised to stick to a strict “law and order” plan if he wins.
“As Governor, there will be no confusion about where I stand: those who break the law will be behind bars, and public safety will always come first,” Donalds said.
This endorsement is another boost for the Donalds campaign. His team recently reported raising a large amount of money in the last few months. They also point to poll numbers suggesting he is leading against other Republicans and would do well against Democrats in the general election.
With Judd’s backing, Donalds is looking to cement his image as the candidate most focused on public safety.
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