In an unexpected turn, two of the largest police unions in Nassau are refraining from endorsing candidates in the upcoming November district attorney election. This marks a significant shift from their backing of Republican Anne Donnelly, which was pivotal in her 2021 ascent to the county’s top law enforcement role.
Last week, the Nassau County Detective’s Association made headlines for omitting Donnelly from its list of endorsed candidates, a surprising decision. Similarly, the Nassau Police Benevolent Association has chosen to endorse only County Executive Bruce Blakeman, also a Republican, for reelection, rather than entering the DA race.
The reasons behind the withdrawal of support from these major law enforcement unions, which previously hailed Donnelly as “the real deal” in their 2021 endorsement, remain unclear. Their sudden change in stance is raising questions in the political landscape.
Neither union has replied to requests for comments regarding their decisions.
As the competition intensifies, Donnelly finds herself facing fellow Democrat Nicole Aloise, who is a former prosecutor within Donnelly’s office.
The absence of endorsements from key law enforcement unions is heightening apprehensions surrounding Donnelly’s election campaign, particularly given that the endorsements of the State Troopers and Supreme Court Officers associations have shifted to support Aloise, groups that had previously backed Donnelly in the last election.
Aloise remarked on the unions’ backing, stating, “Our law enforcement community risks their lives daily to protect our families – they know I’ll stand by them as DA. I’m honored to have their support,” as she introduced the new advertisement highlighting their endorsement.
Donnelly has managed to secure endorsements from the county’s Deputy Sheriff’s and Corrections Officer’s Benevolent Associations, along with the Associations of Former Detectives and Superior Officers.
A spokesperson for Donnelly, Mike Deery, conveyed to The Post, “District Attorney Donnelly appreciates the endorsements she has received.”
This endorsement realignment adds an intriguing dynamic to the final phase of the public safety-focused campaign.
Although crime rates in Nassau County have dropped by 25% this year, Donnelly’s initial two years in office were marked by a 44% increase in major crimes — the highest since 2013 — and her office recorded the lowest felony conviction rates since 2014, according to local police data.
Approximately 90 assistant district attorneys, including Aloise, have resigned during Donnelly’s leadership, citing a toxic work environment and claims that the office prioritizes media attention over effective prosecution.
<pDespite criticisms, Donnelly staunchly defends her record, pointing to the recent decreases in overall crime rates and her office’s efforts in cracking down on MS-13 gangs and tackling drug trafficking, along with recent recoveries of $2 million in labor theft, asserting her commitment to the safety of Nassau’s residents.
The nominees are set to compete on the ballot on November 4.
