The Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriffs Association has endorsed Steve Lavagnino for Santa Barbara County 5th District Supervisor, the Santa Marian’s campaign announced earlier this month. The association represents more than 400 employees of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office. “In order for us to do our jobs effectively, we need to elect people like Steve Lavagnino who understand the importance of public safety,” association president Chris Corbett said in the release. Responding to the endorsement, Lavagnino released the following statement: “I am committed to the courageous men and women of law enforcement who are routinely called upon to make heroic sacrifices for the rest of us. Violent gang crime is on the rise, judges are ordering hardened criminals to be released early, and the least we can do is to ensure that our deputies have the training, equipment, and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I am honored to have their support, and I’m looking forward to a strong working relationship.” Lavagnino’s other major endorsements include Congressman Elton Gallegly, 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray, former Supervisor Brooks Firestone, Santa Maria City Council members Mike Cordero and Bob Orach, and Guadalupe Mayor Lupe Alvarez. For more information about Lavagnino’s campaign, visit stevelavagnino.com.
This article appears in Apr 22-29, 2010.