SANTA ANA, CA— Highlighting his growing support among law enforcement and public safety communities, today former State Senator Lou Correa secured a forceful endorsement from Peace Officers Research Association (PORAC) in his campaign for California’s 46th Congressional District seat.
In a letter sent to the Correa for Congress campaign, PORAC President Michael Durant wrote:
“Dear Mr. Correa, The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) is proud to endorse your campaign for election to Congressional District #46 in 2016. PORAC is a professional federation of local, state and federal public safety associations. With more than 900 member organizations, representing over 66,000 officers, PORAC is the largest public safety association in the nation… PORAC prides itself on careful scrutinizing the qualifications of every candidate. You will be an excellent representative for your district, especially in regards to issues involving public safety. As public safety officers, we appreciate your willingness to keep the avenues of communication open and your concerted efforts to seek our input on issues involving public safety issues and law enforcement. These qualities make you truly deserving of the PORAC endorsement. We look forward to your election and working with you on future issues.”
Today’s announcement follows news that at last weekend’s California Democratic Party “Pre-Convention Caucus” delegate vote, Correa won a plurality of the votes. With 17 votes out of 41 total delegate votes cast, Correa earned 41.5% of the vote, while his competitor, Joe Dunn, earned only 36.5% of the vote. 22% of votes were cast for no endorsement.
The delegate vote followed a slew of crucial endorsements Correa received last week from:
- Congresswoman Judy Chu
- California State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk Silva (Ret.)
- California Supreme Court Justice, Hon., Cruz Reynoso (Ret.)
- California State Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia
- California State Assemblyman Jose Medina
- Santa Ana City Councilwoman Angie Amezcua
- Buena Park City Councilman Art BrownThe poll, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, is relatively fresh out of the field, and was conducted from December 13th through December 16th. The initial results show Correa with a decisive lead over all other candidates:
- All of these endorsements follow a poll showing Correa with an enormous lead, nearly 30-points ahead of his closest competitor.
- 37% Lou Correa
- 5% Joe Dunn
- 4%* Jordan Brandman
- 8% Bao Nguyen
- 12% Adam Nick
- 1% Other
- 33% UndecidedTo read the polling memo, click here.
- Beyond today’s announcement, Correa has racked up widespread support from organizations and leaders, including: Organizations
- After messaging, Correa’s support grows to 43%, while the other candidates’ totals remain nearly unchanged. The memo showed Correa with a net favorability rating more than double that of any other candidate in the race.
- California Police Chiefs’ Association
- National Latino Peace Officers Association
- California Small Business Association
- Building Our Leadership Diversity (BOLD) PAC
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 501
- Santa Ana School Police Officers’ Association
- Santa Ana Police Officers’ Association
- Elected Leaders
- House Democratic Caucus Chair & Congressman Xavier Becerra
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair and Congresswoman Linda Sánchez
- Congresswoman & former State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
- Congressman Juan Vargas
- Congressman Alan Lowenthal
- Congressman Pete Aguilar
- Congressman Ted Lieu
- Congressman Tony Cardenas
- Congresswoman Norma Torres
- Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD.
- Congressman Ruben Gallego
- Congressman Luis Gutierrez
- Congressman Ruben Hinojosa
- Congressman Filemon Vela
- California’s State Treasurer John Chiang
- California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
- California State Senate President Pro-Tem Kevin de León
- California Board of Equalization Chair Jerome Horton
- California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante (Ret.)
- California Latino Legislative Caucus Chair and State Assemblyman Luis Alejo
- California Legislative Black Caucus Chair & State Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer
- California State Senator and former Air Force General Richard Roth
- California State Senator & LGBT trailblazer Mark Leno
- California State Senator & Labor Committee Chair Tony Mendoza
- California State Assemblywoman & former San Diego Central Labor Council Leader Lorena Gonzalez
- California State Assemblyman Henry Perea
- Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchins
- Santa Ana City Council Member Michele Martinez
- Santa Ana Unified School District Board President John Palacio
- Santa Ana Unified School District Clerk Valerie Amezcua
- Santa Ana Unified School District Board Member José Alfredo Hernández, J.D.
- Anaheim Union High School District Board President Annemarie Randle-Trejo
- Anaheim Union High School District Board Member Al Jabbar
- Anaheim City School District Board of Education President Bob Gardner
- Anaheim City School District Board of Education Member Ryan Ruelas
- Anaheim Police Chief John Welter (Ret.)*
- City of Garden Grove City Council Member Kris Beard
- Huntington Beach Unified School District Board Member Bonnie Castrey
- Los Angeles City Councilman, past State Senator Gil Cedillo
- Artesia City Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj
- Community Leaders
- South County Labor Chair Ray Cordova*
- Orange County-based LGBT activist Gregory Willenborg*
- Pastor of the largest African American church in Orange County, the Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.*For more information, please visit www.LouCorrea.com.
- Correa served in the California State Senate, representing the 34th District, from 2006- 2014 and served the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster. Prior to the Senate, he served on the Orange County Board of Supervisors representing the 1st District. Before his time on the Board, Correa served in the California State Assembly representing the 69th District. *Titles for Identification Purposes Only.