Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dave McCormick on Sunday pledged “strong” support for law enforcement after he received an endorsement from the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police (PA FOP), which once endorsed his opponent, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA).
McCormick confirmed his support for law and order during his Sunday appearance on “This Week in Pennsylvania,” arguing law enforcement is fundamental to a prosperous commonwealth.
“We need law and order in our communities to be able to prosper, to have safe families, to be able to have businesses,” said McCormick.
Speaking of Casey, the former Trump administration official argued, “[h]e’s been supportive of sanctuary cities. These things are bad for law and order, bad for our communities.”
McCormick later argued the PA FOP represents the views of most Pennsylvanians.
“I don’t think the FOP endorsement just reflects the views of the FOP, I think it reflects the views of many Pennsylvanians,” said McCormick. “I think they’re convinced, and rightly so, that I’ll be someone who will stand with the men and women in uniform.”
Nodding to his experience in the U.S. Army, McCormick added, “I’ve worn the uniform myself, a different uniform, and will be someone who will be strong in law and order.”
The PA FOP announced its endorsement of Pennsylvania’s statewide Republican ticket, including McCormick, in an announcement posted to its website last Wednesday. The organization’s president, Joe Regan, declared each endorsed candidate has “a deep understanding and respect for the rule of law.”
Just 12 years ago, the PA FOP endorsed Casey, who it explained had “discussed his support and co sponsorship of key FOP issues.” The 2012 statement explained the endorsement of Casey was based on the senator’s support for issues “important to the FOP at the State and National level.”
McCormick also received the support of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA), whose president called McCormick and the other Pennsylvania Republicans it endorsed “true public servants who understand the mission of law enforcement and support providing local and state police with the resources they need to do their jobs and go home safely.”
The U.S. Senate nominee, who was feet away from former President Donald Trump when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate the former president, also urged for civil discourse during his “This Week in Pennsylvania” appearance.
“We got to be able to have that conflict, but we ought to be able to have that conflict at elections, and have civil discourse and ensure that we don’t have an environment of political rhetoric that’s dehumanizing or encourages violence,” McCormick argued.
He added, “I think that’s what everybody’s processing right now,” and suggested the country is experiencing “a powerful moment,” that he hopes “leads to change in a positive direction.”
Watch McCormick’s full remarks:
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Dave McCormick PA FOP” by Dave McCormick.
