Drew Wilson
Republican Attorney General candidate Ashley Moody banked another law enforcement endorsement Tuesday, this time from Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.
“Ashley Moody’s conservative principles and steadfast commitment to the rule of law distinguishes her from the pack. Florida needs an experienced ‘top cop’ with a proven track record of working with law enforcement to combat crime and the ability to effectively collaborate with sheriffs statewide. Ashley Moody is that person,” Ford said.
“I know her legal expertise, background, and persuasive personality make her a leader law enforcement can trust to vigilantly protect the citizens of our great state.”
With Ford, Moody now has more than 10 endorsements from sheriffs, including the current sheriffs of Brevard, Clay, Hernando, Indian River, Lake, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Sumter and Walton counties. She has also gotten the nod from a handful of state attorneys and current Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Moody, a former circuit court judge, said she looked forward working with Ford if elected.
“Sheriff Ford is a tried and true conservative. His passion for making Bay County safer is clear to all who know the Sheriff. His innovative approach to battle recidivism, mental health and addiction within our criminal justice system is an inspiration,” she said.
Moody is running against state Reps. Frank White and Jay Fant in the Republican Primary to replace Bondi, and currently leads her opponents in endorsements and fundraising.
Fant has kept it close with Moody on the fundraising trail largely through dipping into his own pockets to fund his campaign, while White switched his House re-election campaign over to the AG race in mid-October and has yet to file his first campaign finance report as an attorney general candidate.
White has added a burst of endorsements since the switch, however, including one from Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan.
