Commonwealth's attorneys and sheriffs from around the state endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell yesterday while his Democratic opponent, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County, won the support of the state's teachers union.
About 60 law-enforcement officers stood near the Police Memorial statue in downtown Richmond's Festival Park to announce formation of "Law Enforcement for McDonnell."
They cited McDonnell's support as a member of the House of Delegates and then as attorney general for laws helping victims of crime and combating drunken driving, Internet sexual predators and gang activity.
A total of 109 commonwealth's attorneys and sheriffs, including 40 who were elected as independents, are backing McDonnell.
"This election is about jobs, and you won't have good jobs if you don't have safe streets," McDonnell said.
McDonnell pledged not to cut public-safety funding as governor.
But the Democratic Party of Virginia said McDonnell voted in 2004 against a budget conference report that would have increased funding for law officers.
McDonnell did not respond directly to the allegation, but he said Democrats are trotting out the same "tired rhetoric they use in every campaign." McDonnell will make it a priority to fund public safety without tax increases, he said.
Also yesterday, Kitty Boitnott, president of the 60,000-member Virginia Education Association, said: "Creigh Deeds has an 18-year record in the General Assembly of support for public education."
Boitnott said the decision was reached after interviews with both candidates, an analysis of the teachers union questionnaires they filled out and an examination of their voting records.
The teachers union traditionally endorses Democratic candidates.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
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