Congressman Mike Lawler received a major show of support from the law enforcement community Monday morning, as police union leaders representing officers across Rockland County, the Hudson Valley, New York City and New York State gathered in Haverstraw to formally endorse his reelection to Congress.
The press conference was held at the Haverstraw Elks Lodge, where Lawler was joined by representatives of the Rockland County PBA, Police Conference of New York, Port Authority PBA, Port Authority Sergeants Benevolent Association, Haverstraw PBA, Yorktown PBA, Carmel PBA, Carmel LBA, Westchester County Corrections Superior Officers Association, New York State Supreme Court Officers Association and the New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association.
A representative of the Rockland County PBA praised Lawler for his continued support of local police officers, saying the congressman has listened to the concerns of law enforcement and consistently recognized the importance of public safety.
“We proudly give Congressman Lawler our endorsement, not because of the party he represents, but because of what he has done for police officers,” the PBA representative said while announcing the organization’s support for his campaign.
Lawler thanked the organizations for their endorsements, noting that some have supported him since his first campaign for public office.
“I grew up here in Rockland County. I know what it means to live in a community where police are part of the neighborhood, where they coach the teams and know the families, and show up for people on the worst day of their lives,” Lawler said.
Lawler pointed to several votes in Congress as evidence of his record supporting law enforcement, including his votes for legislation making assaulting a police officer a deportable offense, the LEOSA Reform Act expanding carry rights for qualified off-duty and retired officers, the Laken Riley Act and the HALT Fentanyl Act. He also highlighted his vote condemning efforts to defund police departments.
Lawler additionally referenced his time in the New York State Assembly, where he fought against the repeal of Section 50-a, which had provided confidentiality protections for police personnel records.
The Police Conference of New York, a statewide organization representing law enforcement officers from Long Island to Buffalo and the Canadian border, said its members unanimously voted at their May meeting to endorse Lawler.
A representative of the organization said it has worked with Lawler since his time in the State Assembly and praised him for consistently speaking up on behalf of police officers and approaching public safety issues with “common sense.”
“He always, always, always stands with our police officers,” the representative said. “We appreciate his support, and we will do anything in our power to help him get back into Congress.”
Lawler is seeking another term representing New York’s 17th Congressional District, which includes Rockland and Putnam counties and portions of Westchester and Dutchess counties.
