Should Your Deputy Sheriff’s Association Endorse a Candidate for Sheriff?
Every election cycle, local associations representing sheriff’s deputies face the same question: Should we endorse a candidate for sheriff?
Unlike most elected offices, the sheriff occupies a unique position. The sheriff is both a political candidate and, ultimately, the employer of the deputies who work in the department. That reality makes endorsement decisions more complicated than supporting a candidate for mayor, county board, or state legislature.
There is no single right answer. Some associations choose to remain neutral in every sheriff’s race. Others routinely endorse candidates they believe will provide strong leadership and support for the department. Still others evaluate each election individually.
Whatever approach is taken, local associations should carefully consider both the potential benefits and risks before making an endorsement.
Potential Benefits of an Endorsement:
- Providing Members with a Unified Voice
An endorsement allows an association to collectively express its views regarding the future direction of the sheriff’s office. Deputies often possess firsthand knowledge of departmental operations, leadership challenges, staffing concerns, morale issues, and public safety needs. As a result, the opinions of those who perform the work every day can carry significant weight with voters.
When an association speaks with one voice, it can help educate the public about issues that may otherwise receive little attention during a campaign.
- Influencing the Future of the Organization
Sheriffs have substantial authority over departmental policies, management philosophy, staffing priorities, training, and organizational culture. An election may determine the direction of the agency for years to come.
If an association believes one candidate is significantly better equipped to lead the department, an endorsement may provide an opportunity to help shape that outcome.
- Strengthening Relationships with Future Leadership
Campaigns often provide opportunities for meaningful dialogue between candidates and employee representatives. Candidates may be asked to discuss their positions on staffing, equipment, training, recruitment, retention, employee wellness, labor relations, and other issues important to deputies.
These conversations can help establish productive working relationships long before Election Day.
- Demonstrating Engagement in Public Safety Issues
Sheriff’s elections frequently involve important public safety questions. An endorsement can signal that deputies are engaged in those discussions and are willing to advocate for what they believe is in the best interest of both the agency and the community.
Potential Risks of an Endorsement:
- The Candidate You Oppose May Win
This is often the most obvious concern. Unlike endorsements in many other races, sheriff’s elections involve individuals who may soon become the association members’ employer. If the endorsed candidate loses, the association may find itself working with an elected sheriff whom it publicly opposed.
While professional labor-management relationships can certainly survive political disagreements, endorsements can create tensions that persist long after the campaign ends.
Association leaders should honestly assess whether the potential benefits of endorsing outweigh the possibility of creating friction with future leadership.
- Dividing the Membership
This should come as no surprise, but it’s important to recognize that the members of any association do not always agree on political candidates. Even when a candidate appears to have broad support, there may be substantial disagreement within the bargaining unit. An endorsement that reflects the views of only a narrow segment of the membership can create internal division and weaken confidence in association leadership.
Before making an endorsement, local leaders should carefully evaluate whether the membership genuinely supports taking a position and whether a fair process exists for reaching that determination.
- Becoming Identified with a Political Campaign
An endorsement may place the association in the middle of a contentious political contest. Campaigns can become increasingly polarized, and issues unrelated to law enforcement may begin to dominate public discussion.
Associations should consider whether participation in the race advances the organization’s mission or risks distracting from its primary role of representing members in the workplace.
- The Candidate May Change After the Election
Another practical reality of any election is the fact that campaigns and governing are not the same thing. Candidates often make promises, express priorities, or present leadership philosophies that evolve once they take office. An association that endorses a candidate may find that expectations are not fully met after the election.
For that reason, endorsements should generally be based on a candidate’s demonstrated qualifications, experience, judgment, and leadership ability rather than campaign rhetoric alone.
Questions Associations Should Ask Before Endorsing
Before making any endorsement decision, local associations should consider several key questions:
- Does the membership support taking a position in this race?
- Is there a fair and transparent process for evaluating candidates?
- Have all candidates been given an opportunity to communicate with the association?
- Is the association focused on issues relevant to the membership and the department?
- How will the association work with the winning candidate if its preferred candidate loses?
- Will an endorsement strengthen or weaken the association’s credibility with members and the public?
- Are association leaders prepared to explain and defend the decision, regardless of the election outcome?
The answers to these questions may differ from one county to another. What makes sense in one sheriff’s race may not be appropriate in the next.
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Some deputy associations have successfully endorsed candidates for years. Others have determined that neutrality best serves their members. Both approaches can be legitimate if they reflect the priorities and circumstances of the local association.
The important thing is that any endorsement decision be made thoughtfully, strategically, and with a clear understanding of both the opportunities and the potential consequences.
As sheriff’s elections approach across Wisconsin, local associations should remember that endorsement decisions often have effects that extend well beyond Election Day. Careful planning and informed decision-making can help ensure that whatever path is chosen ultimately serves the best interests of the membership.
If your association is considering endorsing a candidate for sheriff—or has questions regarding political activity, campaign involvement, political action committees, or endorsement procedures—contact your WPPA Business Agent or the WPPA office in Madison. The WPPA has extensive experience helping local associations navigate these issues and can provide guidance tailored to your local circumstances.