For the first time in recent history, the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police is weighing in on the 9th District race, throwing its support behind U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo).
“We feel strongly that she’s the candidate who will best represent our members in Washington,” said Jay McDonald, the president of Ohio’s FOP.
The Ohio FOP is the largest law enforcement organization in Ohio. While it hasn’t endorsed a candidate for the 9th District in recent years, Mr. McDonald said the organization decided to endorse Ms. Kaptur this year because of her long history of supporting labor unions and her support of the Social Security Fairness Act.
The act would prevent the reduction of Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who already receive other benefits, such as a government pension. It would also prevent the reduction of Social Security benefits for people who receive a pension benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. The bill is currently held up in committee.
“It is an issue that impacts every single member of the Fraternal Order of Police and all public employees in Ohio, and her strong support for that legislation is one of the things that caused us to weigh in on this race,” Mr. McDonald said.
The support of law enforcement has been important for both candidates in the race. Ms. Kaptur’s opponent, state Rep. Derek Merrin (R., Monclova Township) was endorsed in July by two local law enforcement associations.
“I am honored to be endorsed by the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association and the Toledo Police Command Officers Association,” Mr. Merrin said. “While Marcy Kaptur believes that policing needs to be reimagined and supports legislation to end qualified immunity for police, I will stand by our law enforcement officers.”
Qualified immunity protects officers from being sued in civil situations but does not apply in criminal cases. In 2021, Ms. Kaptur co-sponsored the End Qualified Immunity Act, which would have eliminated individual liability for police officers. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives but was not passed. On Wednesday, Ms. Kaptur’s campaign said she no longer supports ending qualified immunity.
"Congresswoman Kaptur does not support ending qualified immunity,” a spokesman for the campaign said. “After speaking with and listening to police officers across the district, she does not believe ending this protection is in the best interest of her district."
Mr. McDonald said qualified immunity is important to its members because it allows them to do their jobs without being sued. He said the order is aware of Ms. Kaptur’s support for those acts, but she made a commitment to speak with the Ohio FOP about the issues facing officers moving forward.
“It is our opinion that there is no perfect politician who agrees with us on all issues,” Mr. McDonald said. “We oppose any attempt at eliminating qualified immunity, but we believe that we will have a seat at the table with Congresswoman Kaptur.”
Ms. Kaptur supported the American Rescue Plan which funded the hiring of additional police officers in Toledo, and she helped secure funding for new radios for the Toledo Police Department.
“I have worked hand-in-glove with law enforcement to make sure they have the resources they need to reduce violent crime, get fentanyl off our streets, and protect themselves and our community,” Ms. Kaptur said in a statement. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the FOP and the 23,000 Ohio police officers they represent … I have a proven record of supporting our police and helping them access the federal resources they need to keep our communities and officers safe.”
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