Bruce Blakeman gets support of 5 police unions for Congress

Five local and statewide police unions announced their support for Republican Bruce Blakeman in the 4th Congressional District Thursday, shunning his Democratic opponent, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Heads of the unions, led by the 2,500-member Nassau Police Benevolent Association, appeared with Blakeman at a morning news conference in Mineola -- prompting Rice's campaign to claim retaliation for the district attorney's recent prosecution of a veteran police officer.

"She does a good job as DA. I think Bruce is more suited for the legislative side," PBA president James Carver said of Blakeman. "Not bashing her, but he's the better candidate."

Carver cited Blakeman's support of police programs while serving as presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, a position he held from 1996 to 1999. Carver said Blakeman would be effective in obtaining federal money for police hiring, programs and equipment.

"I'm a friend of law enforcement because I think they do the most important job that we have to do in government," Blakeman said in an interview.

But the PBA endorsement -- along with those of the Nassau Detectives Association, Freeport PBA, New York Police Chiefs Benevolent Association and New York Police Veterans Association -- comes months after Rice secured a felony assault indictment of Nassau Police Officer Vincent LoGiudice.

Prosecutors alleged that LoGiudice repeatedly struck a Westbury man in the head and face during a confrontation that was partially caught on video. The alleged victim, Kyle Howell, initially denied police claims that he was trying to hide marijuana after a traffic stop, but later admitted to it.

Hundreds of Long Island cops, many holding signs reading "Justice for Vinny," attended LoGiudice's early June arraignment. They filled the hallway outside the courtroom, where Carver proclaimed that LoGiudice "will be vindicated."

"This is obvious retaliation against Kathleen Rice for doing her job independently and with integrity," said Rice campaign spokesman Eric Phillips of the unions' support for Blakeman.

Carver denied that the LoGiudice indictment motivated the endorsement of Blakeman.

"That's a separate issue here. We looked at the facts. We made the decision that Bruce was better suited to go to Congress," Carver said. "You can sit there and say, 'If I want to get rid of her, I'll just support her to get rid of her.' But that's not how we do business."

The Nassau Superior Officers Association will not make an endorsement in the race, President Brian Hoesl said Thursday.

Blakeman and Rice, who has been district attorney since 2006, are running to replace Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola).