Drew Wilson
Bartow Republican Jeff Mann has been endorsed by The Florida Police Benevolent Association in the race to succeed term-limited Rep. Ben Albritton in House District 56.
“It is a true honor to be endorsed by the PBA” Mann said. “The PBA is responsible for protecting us and it is an honor to know they trust me to protect them.”
The Florida PBA, founded 1972, is a labor union that bills itself as “The Voice of Florida’s Law Enforcement.” Their endorsement comes a couple weeks after Mann got the nod from the National Rifle Association.
Mann is competing against Melony Bell for the Republican nomination in HD 56, which covers DeSoto and Hardee counties as well as part of Polk County.
HD 56 is one of five contests, including three in the Tampa Bay area, to have its primary election locked down by a write-in candidate, meaning only Republican voters will be able to participate in the primary race despite no other party affiliated candidate making the ballot.
Bell currently leads the money race with more than $165,000 raised and more than $105,000 banked as of June 22. Mann has raised $51,615 and has $39,075 on hand in his campaign account.
HD 56 is a Republican stronghold that voted plus-26 for President Donald Trump two years ago. It has been held by Albritton since it was redrawn in 2012.
