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Keisha Lance Bottoms. FOX 5 Atlanta photo
ATLANTA – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced endorsements from more than 30 current and former Georgia law enforcement officials as she faces Republican Rick Jackson in November.
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Bottoms’ campaign said the coalition includes 32 officials, including sheriffs, district attorneys, solicitors general and former law enforcement leaders.
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Bottoms supporters cite police funding
What they’re saying:
Former Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant and DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston are among those backing Bottoms.
Bryant cited police pay increases, funding for police training and her role in establishing a Buckhead precinct during her tenure as Atlanta mayor.
“Keisha was a leading voice to ensure Atlanta officers had the resources they needed and I’m honored to join the coalition supporting her,” Bryant said in the campaign’s announcement.
Bottoms said her priorities as governor would include helping agencies recruit and retain officers and address evidence-testing backlogs.
Who endorsed Bottoms?
The campaign named the following officials:
Sheriffs
Liberty County Sheriff William BowmanRichmond County Sheriff Eugene BrantleySumter County Sheriff Eric BryantChatham County Sheriff Richard ColemanFulton County Sheriff Patrick LabatTaliaferro County Sheriff Tia McWilliamsCobb County Sheriff Craig D. Owens Sr.Douglas County Sheriff Tim PoundsHenry County Sheriff Reginald B. ScandrettGwinnett County Sheriff Keybo TaylorFormer Fulton County Sheriff Jackie BarrettFormer DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas E. Brown, also a former U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Georgia
Solicitors general
Gwinnett County Lisamarie BristolDeKalb County Donna Coleman-StriblingDouglas County Sonya ComptonFulton County Keith GammageRichmond County Omeeka LogginsCobb County Makia Metzger
District attorneys
Rockdale County Alisha Adams JohnsonCobb County Sonya AllenGwinnett County Patsy Austin-GatsonDeKalb County Sherry BostonChatham County Shalena Cook JonesClayton County Tasha MosleyHenry County Darius PattilloDouglas County Dalia RacineBibb, Peach and Crawford counties Anita Reynolds HowardBurke and Richmond counties Jared WilliamsFulton County Fani Willis
Other former law enforcement officials
Former Atlanta Police Chief Rodney BryantFormer Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert Ford Jackson previously announced support from 104 sheriffs
The other side:
Jackson’s campaign announced in August that 104 Georgia sheriffs had endorsed him. Supporters included sheriffs from Cherokee, Coweta, Dawson, Fayette, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Jackson, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, Rabun, Walton and Whitfield counties.
PREVIOUS STORY: 104 Georgia sheriffs endorse Rick Jackson for Georgia governor
Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman cited Jackson’s approach to supporting law enforcement.
“I trust Rick Jackson because he understands what it takes to protect our communities,” Freeman said in the announcement. “I trust Rick to make the tough decisions and make sure law enforcement has the support and resources we need to do our jobs.”
Jackson said he would prioritize additional resources, staffing and support for sheriffs, along with enforcement against violent crime.
His supporters also included Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk and Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy, both Democrats who endorsed the Republican nominee.
Jackson also announced over the weekend that he was proud to be endorsed by the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police.