Scott Swope Democratic Candidate for Pinellas County Sheriff P.O.

Box 1021 Palm Harbor, FL 34682-1021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Scott Swope 727-743-0800 SwopeforSheriff@gmail.com

Swope endorsed by Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2012) Pinellas County Sheriff candidate Scott Swope announced today he has been endorsed by Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith. Smith is the first openly gay person to be elected to the Largo City Commission. First, I'm proud to endorse Scott Swope for Sheriff because he started his law enforcement career as a 17-year-old dispatcher with our Largo police force, Smith said. Most important, Scott speaks to the needs of all citizens of Pinellas County, and his commitment to diversity within the Sheriff's Office is unparalleled. Scott Swope will be the sheriff who will best serve the needs of all citizens, as well as his staff, said Smith. Swope said he is determined to serve all of Pinellas Countys citizens, regardless of their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Also, I intend to address the issue of bullying in our schools, Swope said. If our young people learn tolerance, we will have less reason to involve law enforcement because there will be fewer potentially dangerous incidents. Swope, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, is running against Bob Gualtieri, the interim sheriff who was appointed to the job by Gov. Rick Scott. Swope is a former traffic homicide investigator for the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office, and a former magistrate.

Swopes campaign is focused on violent crimes, traffic safety, crimes against seniors and children, human trafficking, and responsible gun ownership. He stands with 17 states, the city of Chicago, and hundreds of current and former law enforcement officials who support the decriminalization of marijuana, preferring instead to focus limited department resources on serious crime. He has earned the bipartisan support of numerous current and former elected officials, the AFL-CIO, and the Libertarian Party of Pinellas County.

-0Editors note: For additional information or comments, please contact Scott Swope at 727743-0800 or at SwopeforSheriff@gmail.com .

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