Ohio’s Largest Police Union Endorses All Republican Statewide Candidates
Ohio's largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), has endorsed all Republican candidates for statewide office. This marks a significant shift from previous years where the FOP had endorsed some Democratic candidates. The union cited a perception among…
Cleveland Akron, OH, July 23, 2026 —
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio’s largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), has announced its endorsement of all Republican candidates running for statewide office in the upcoming elections. This move represents a notable departure from the union’s past practices, which have included endorsing candidates from both major parties in previous election cycles.
The decision stems from a prevailing sentiment among the FOP’s membership. According to statements from the union, a significant portion of its members perceive the Republican party as being more consistently supportive of law enforcement. Conversely, the union cited a perception that the Democratic party, particularly influenced by national figures, is seen as increasingly critical of or hostile towards law enforcement.
This unified endorsement of Republican candidates for statewide positions signifies a clear alignment of the FOP’s political stance with the Republican platform, at least as interpreted by the union’s leadership and members. The union has not provided specific details on the number of candidates endorsed or the timeline of the decision-making process beyond the general sentiment cited.
In prior election years, the Fraternal Order of Police in Ohio has demonstrated a willingness to cross party lines, endorsing individual Democratic candidates based on specific platforms or candidate stances relevant to law enforcement. The shift to endorsing all Republican candidates suggests a broader assessment of the current political landscape and the perceived priorities of each party concerning police work and public safety.
The union’s stated reasoning points to a belief that the Republican party better aligns with the interests and concerns of law enforcement professionals. The perception of national Democratic figures attacking law enforcement appears to be a significant factor influencing this year’s endorsements. Further details regarding the specific criteria used for this statewide endorsement across all positions were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Andrew Tobias and Jake Zuckerman on signalcleveland.org, see more information here.
