The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) has endorsed 10 times more Republicans than Democrats during the 2020 election season.
The MPPOA released its list of endorsed candidates for Tuesday’s election, with 150 total candidates earning the support of the organization, almost five times more than the usual 40. While the organization has endorsed candidates and politicians from both sides of the political aisle, it has shown support for 137 Republicans and just 13 Democrats. The MPPOA is the largest police organization in the state and has more than 10,000 members.
“The rank and file police officers have been the scapegoat of a system of failure at every level, to include the Governor and the State Legislature,” Brain Peters, the executive director of the MPPOA, told Alpha News.
“Law enforcement needs people who understand them and want to fix the problem instead of putting a Band-Aid on it,” he continued. “People need to vote their conscience, and we’re confident that our endorsement list is a group of people who support cops.”
Updated Endorsement List! Our apologies to Representative Nash who is a huge supporter of law enforcement. He is endorsed by the MPPOA. pic.twitter.com/ifDBde6muC
— Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (@MNPoliceAssn) October 29, 2020
Peters also told Alpha News that even though the MPPOA has endorsed certain candidates, that doesn’t necessarily mean their opponents aren’t supportive of the police.
One of those candidates would be Kendall Qualls, a Republican congressional candidate who has been endorsed by the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police, but whose Democratic opponent, Rep. Dean Phillips, received the MPPOA’s endorsement.
“When it came to Dean Phillips, he was viewed as a moderate Democrat, he has supported police,” said Peters. “We still need allies to be able to go to if need be.”
Marine veteran Tyler Kistner and former Congressman Jason Lewis, both Republicans, have made the endorsement list. The candidates, who are running for U.S. House and Senate respectively, are both staunch supporters of the police and have consistently attacked their opponents for failing to sufficiently condemn the “defund the police” movement.
“I’ve spoken directly with each candidate and know each one supports public safety, law enforcement, and safe communities. We urge voters to support these candidates for office,” Peters said in a press release.
The MPPOA rescinded the endorsements of several state Democrats last month because they refused to speak out against John Thompson, a St. Paul Democrat running for House who threatened to burn down a neighborhood during a protest in August.
Judah Torgerud
Judah Torgerud is a freelance journalist working with Alpha News to keep the people informed and bring the truth to light. Contact him at whqnu@nycunarjfza.pbz.
