Tag Archives: endorsement

Police Union Endorsement Yanked Over Candidate’s Ties To Tamarac Vice Mayor Elberg Mike Gelin

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Tamarac Talk reporting on Tamarac Commission candidate Stuart Michelson losing key union endorsement over ties to Vice Mayor Elberg Mike Gelin. IUPA local 6020, which represents Broward Sheriffs Office employees, was unhappy to learn Michelson gave a $1,000 contribution to Gelin.

“Vice Mayor Mike Gelin used his position as vice mayor to undermine multiple law enforcement officers’ right to due process and publicly berated a law enforcement officer during an award ceremony,” wrote Matt Cowart. “These incidents involving Vice Mayor Mike Gelin were discussed with you during your endorsement interview, and you failed to disclose your support of him during the interview process.”

IUPA switched its endorsement to Joseph Lanouette.

Read full report here.

Ken Cooper Fails To Mention Endorsement By Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Robert McKinzie

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As early voting began this week, Fort Lauderdale mayoral candidate picked up a big endorsement of his campaign to unseat Mayor Dean Trantalis. Just one problem. Despite numerous opportunities, Cooper never mentioned that he picked up the support of fellow Democrat Robert McKinzie, a Fort Lauderdale Commissioner.

Why?

On Monday morning, REDBROWARD received a “Robert McKinzie Picks” flyer at the African American Research Library in Fort Lauderdale. McKinzie tells his supporters to pick Kenneth D. Cooper for Mayor. After confirming the flyer was legitimate, we checked Ken Cooper’s social media and website for news of the endorsement.

Nothing.

Normally, a campaign will eagerly post endorsements, especially from an elected official. Not Ken Cooper.

On Monday afternoon, REDBROWARD reached out to members of the Cooper campaign to ask about the endorsement. A Cooper campaign official scoffed when asked if the campaign would issue a press release in the age of “social media.”

In a post on the Save Fort Lauderdale Facebook page, Cooper told REDBROWARD he spent Monday morning at the African American Research Library. He included a picture of himself on location. But still no mention of the McKinzie endorsement.

Nothing on Tuesday. No mention Wednesday during a Cooper townhall. Not a peep Thursday or Friday. Nothing this weekend.

Why is Robert McKinzie’s support such a secret? What is Ken Cooper waiting for? Does Ken Cooper even know he was endorsed by McKinzie?