Hialeah Republican Rep. Alex Rizo is adding another law enforcement group to his list of backers as he pursues a promotion in the Legislature.<\/p>\n
The South Florida Police Benevolent Association<\/a> (PBA), which represents some 6,500 law enforcement and corrections professionals across more than 40 agencies in the region, is endorsing Rizo for Senate District 39.<\/p>\n The SD 39 seat is open after its last occupant, Miami Springs Republican Bryan \u00c1vila, accepted U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds\u2019 invitation to be his gubernatorial running mate<\/a> last month. Gov. Ron DeSantis has yet to call<\/a> a Special Election to replace \u00c1vila.<\/p>\n In an endorsement letter this week, South Florida PBA President Steadman Stahl cited Rizo\u2019s record of standing up for police and other emergency personnel, citing the lawmaker\u2019s sponsorship of Florida\u2019s \u201cHalo\u201d law<\/a>. The measure, which \u00c1vila sponsored in the Senate and DeSantis signed in 2024, enables first responders to establish a 25-foot buffer zone around themselves and allows prosecution of anyone who crosses into that space after being warned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have made law and order a priority throughout your illustrious public service career including sponsoring transformative legislation such as Florida\u2019s HALO Law, that provides protections to public safety personnel when doing their dangerous jobs, as well as being dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the residents you represent and our members protect,\u201d Stahl wrote.<\/p>\n The South Florida PBA nod joins others from the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police<\/a>, DeSantis, Senate President-designate Jim Boyd<\/a>, Sen. Jay Trumbull, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo and Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz.<\/p>\n Rizo said supporting law enforcement \u201chas been a priority throughout (his) time in public service.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am deeply grateful to President Stahl and the South Florida PBA for their confidence in me,\u201d Rizo said. \u201cIn the Florida Senate, I will continue working with law enforcement on public safety and the challenges officers face in the line of duty.\u201d<\/p>\n A six-year House member and former Chair of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County, Rizo entered the SD 39 race<\/a> Sept. 1, forgoing a House District 112 term he secured without opposition in June.<\/p>\n