A union representing Hamilton County sheriff deputies and Chattanooga police officers on Wednesday announced its endorsement of Hamilton County Commission chair Sabrena Smedley in the competitive county mayor's race.
The endorsement of the Ooltewah Republican by the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local #673 came a day after Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond defended his endorsement of mayoral candidate Matt Hullander, R-Chattanooga.
"As we have seen in recent years, the law enforcement profession is finding it harder and harder to find and retain well-trained personnel," the organization said in its endorsement. "Oftentimes, support where it matters is difficult to find. That's not been the case with Mrs. Smedley's leadership as chairwoman on the Hamilton County Commission. The membership believes we will be able to rely on her resolute support in the county mayor's office to keep well-trained professionals on the street and be a partner in addressing community safety and crime issues."
(READ MORE: Sheriff Hammond defends endorsement of Hullander in Hamilton County mayor's race)
Smedley has marketed herself as the most pro-law enforcement candidate in the three-person mayoral race, which also includes Weston Wamp, R-Chattanooga.
"For me, it's deeply personal. As a small business owner, I know what it feels like to be broken into and come in on a weekend to find all of your computers have been taken away," Smedley said in a statement. "It's also personal to me because I'm the mother of a law enforcement officer here in Hamilton County, who is also a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve."
(READ MORE: Hullander picks up Hammond endorsement in mayor's race)
Last month, Hammond endorsed Hullander, praising the Republican for his "hard work, integrity and commitment to others."
Then, on Tuesday, he defended his support amid questions about his office's policy prohibiting employees from making any political endorsements.
(READ MORE: Hamilton County mayor candidates talk pandemic mandates, education at Calvary Chapel)
As an elected official whose position is laid out in the state constitution, that rule doesn't apply to him, Hammond said.
Only those hired through the civil service process, which the sheriff's office is only one of few in the state to use, are subject to the rule against endorsements, which is also prohibited by state law.
"The way that we are able to [endorse] is because we're not endorsing somebody in an individual capacity," said union Vice President Mike Korter. "We're endorsing somebody as the IBPO [International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local] Local."
The local law enforcement union is composed of about 450 members, he said.
Its board members are elected, and its members are who ultimately are responsible for voting to endorse a candidate. Endorsements are also approval by the union's regional director in Atlanta before they are announced.
Contact Logan Hullinger at lhullinger@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6416. Follow him on Twitter @LoganHullinger.