LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
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Mayoral candidates receive public safety endorsements

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The top candidates vying to become Louisville's next mayor split endorsements from the city's police and fire unions Wednesday.

The Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Republican Hal Heiner while the firefighters union gave its nod to Democrat Greg Fischer.

Both campaigns claimed victory over their respective endorsements.

"I am very excited by this endorsement. I went back through the interview process.. I am excited to be endorsed by the 2000 officers," Heiner said.

When asked about the firefighters endorsement, Fischer said, "Obviously these guys and gals put their lives on the line everyday. So to get their trust is something I am very proud of."

But only the FOP re-opened its interview process with the candidates following the May primary.

Heiner has not publicly stated whether LMPD Police Chief Robert White would have a role in his administration.

Fischer has said he would retain White.

Heiner says he does not support naming personnel chairs before being elected.

"I think it's irresponsible," Heiner said during an interview with Fox 41 News.

The FOP and White have not always seen eye to eye and have at times butted heads over issues like officers having to pay to take home their patrol cars.

"The chief wasn't part of the questioning," said Heiner. "We talked about a safer Louisville, the resources available for the department. We talked about litigation. My program is not litigate first, it's talk first."

Heiner says Chief White played no role in his endorsement. Fischer claims to have heard differently, but downplayed not securing the FOP nod.

"I don't know. I was told that was a factor... my job is to take a look at the whole city," said Fischer.

Recent polls have varied from a tight deadlock to Fischer with a 7-point lead. Independent Jackie Green says this race is not over. About the endorsements, Green said,

"That speaks to a reality... those candidates are going to be splitting votes. The other votes are going our way."

Green argues that despite only receiving 3 percent of the vote in recent polls, he has forced the two front-runners to talk about transportation issues, like the heavily-debated Ohio River Bridges Project.

Green claims he still has a shot to win the race, adding that he only needs a plurality – 33.4 percent of the vote – to win.