Scott Powers
The Florida Police Benevolent Association has added its endorsement to other first-responder groups backing state Sen. Darren Soto in his Democratic run in Orlando-based Congressional District 9.
The PBA declared Soto a proponent in the Florida Legislature of police and firefighters, in particular noting his legislative efforts to close loopholes that had denied full benefits to the families of some fallen responders.
“Sen. Soto has been a proponent of ours in the Florida Legislature,” Paul Smalley, president of the Central Florida PBA, stated in a news release issued Thursday by Soto’s campaign. “Darren helped us pass a bill for families of fallen law enforcement officers that would give their families ongoing survivor benefits through the state’s pension plan.”
“Our first responders and public safety officials go to work willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to provide a safe place for us to work and live,” said Soto. “It’s just common sense that we should make a promise to them to protect their families if they unfortunately lose their lives while protecting us.”
Soto is running against Susannah Randolph, Valleri Crabtree and Dr. Dena Minning in the Aug. 30 Democratic primary. They seek to replace U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson of Orlando, who is running for the U.S. Senate instead of for re-election.
In 2010, Soto passed the John J. Curry Act, which provided death benefits to eight families of fallen firefighters who had been killed in training. Although the bill received 68 cosponsors, it was not moving through the process and time was running out. In the final hour of the 2010 legislative session, Soto was able to work with law enforcement to amend and pass the bill.
