Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd wants Sydney Gruters to represent part of his county in Congress.

“Sydney Gruters is the real deal,” Judd said. “She understands that public safety is not a slogan. It is about backing the men and women who put on the badge, getting tough on criminals and making sure law-abiding families can live in peace.”

That means Gruters has shored up the endorsements of every sheriff in the six counties spanning the newly redrawn Florida’s 16th Congressional District. That includes prior endorsements from Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, DeSoto County Sheriff Jim Potter and Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells,

Judd also made clear he values another endorsement Gruters enjoys, the support of President Donald Trump.

“President Trump trusts Sydney, and so do I,” Judd said. “She has the backbone, the experience, and the common sense to do the job. I am proud to endorse her for Congress.”

Gruters, a former New College Foundation leader who previously worked for the Department of Agriculture and for U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube, embraced the support from Judd.

“Sheriff Grady Judd is one of the strongest and most trusted law enforcement leaders in America, and I am honored to have his support,” Gruters said.

“Sheriff Judd has spent his career standing up for victims, protecting families, and telling the truth with clarity and conviction. In Congress, I will always back the blue, fight to secure the border and work with law enforcement to keep our communities safe.”

The Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, St. Petersburg Firefighters and Hardee County Firefighters also have endorsed Gruters, bolstering her support among the first responder community as a whole.

Sources close to Gruters said the support shows strong backup for her law-and-order platform.

“This clean sweep says everything voters need to know about this race,” said Max Goodman, a Gruters spokesperson.

“The most respected public safety leaders in Florida and the district are supporting Sydney because she is serious, honest and ready to do the job. They reject recycled attacks, embarrassing gimmicks and keyboard warriors. They are backing the candidate they trust to stand with law enforcement, secure the border and deliver for the people of FL-16.”

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