Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has just endorsed Byron Donalds for Governor, touting the sitting Congressman’s public safety bona fides and support for tough-on-crime policies.
The endorsement adds to Donalds’ growing roster of supporters as he courts GOP Primary voters.
Judd, who has served as Sheriff for more than 20 straight years, said he’s “energetically” backing Donalds because of his steadfast allegiance to law enforcement and stronger sentencing policies, including “truth in sentencing,” mandatory minimums, and opposition to early parole.
“He boldly supports law enforcement and holding criminals accountable. He steadfastly believes that the public’s safety comes first,” Judd said in a statement.
“Byron totally understands that keeping citizens and visitors safe must be the government’s top priority. He is Florida’s best choice for Governor.”
Donalds called Judd “a nationally respected Sheriff” and framed the endorsement as validation of his pitch to be the race’s “law-and-order candidate.”
“Sheriff Judd knows I am … committed to backing the blue, enforcing the law, and keeping Florida families safe,” he said. “As Governor, there will be no confusion about where I stand: those who break the law will be behind bars, and public safety will always come first.”
Donalds own youthful indiscretions, which include an arrest at 18 for marijuana distribution and a felony theft conviction at age 20.
“When I made my mistakes, there was no leniency for youthful offenders,” Donalds, said in an interview.
Donalds’ criminal record suggests he received more leniency than he’s letting on.
After his marijuana arrest in 1997, a Florida court granted Donalds a “pre-trial diversion,” which offered some offenders alternatives to jail. Law enforcement arrested Donalds on a charge of distributing weed, not just possessing it, although Donalds maintains he wasn’t distributing.
For his drug charge, the court ultimately fined Donalds $150 and did not incarcerate him.
“Pre-trial diversion? Let’s be very clear — the issues in Washington, D.C., is not a 20-year-old with a dime bag of marijuana,” Donalds told NOTUS.
In 2000, Donalds pleaded no contest to a felony larceny charge. He was sentenced to two years of probation.
Polk County Sheriff Grady must be soft on Donalds arrests.
Well, that seals it. Anyone BUT Byron.
Yep little miss perfect. You rotten piece of crap. Do not evwn dare to claim to be a christian. You are not worthy to make that claim.
So, based on tbe negative spin, a young man does not deserve a second chance? Look at what he has accomplished. He has never hidden his transgressions but did take his life into his own hands and made a much better life for himself and his family. This is a success story a d he should be lauded for his successes.
Tucker on YouTube is interviewing Donald’s competitor. His name is James Fishback and it’s an excellent interview.
Fishback is a pedo
Provide proof or STFU
It’s very simple. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not learning. We are humans and we all have regrets at some time in our lives and made mistakes. As long as we accept the consequences and not to repeat what was done in our past.
Grady, you’re slipping. First endorsing ICE to terrorize possibly innocent people and small children and now this………
While ICE protestors are protecting pedophiles, rapists, murderers, and other criminals while violating a myriad of laws. Donalds was legally a minor during both arrests; he probably could have had the records expunged but he didn’t. The second arrest was over 27 years ago. Has he broken any laws since then. While you condemn Donalds you turn your head to the lawlessness of the protestors. What hypocrisy! Let those without sin cast the first stone.
they are going after criminals. And if you entered America illegally you broke the law!
Most people have done something in their youth that was wrong. Some were caught and some weren’t but if they learned their lesson and paid the dues that they were given and from that point changed their life and never got in trouble again than that should not be a reason to hold against them running for this position or any job. It is because of his past that he changed and has made a better life for himself he learned that his bad choices were not going to benefit him and choice to do better.I don’t know his views on politics but I’m sure most have made some kind of a bad choice and know that should not define us especially if we changed our ways.
If he’s good enough for Grady he’s got my vote.
I would t hold Grady up to such high esteem. Do you know under his watch Polk Animal Control is the number 1 killing shelter in the state of Florida? He condones the killing of over 5000 animals per year. All because he won’t give up control of the shelter or look at new updated ordinances to save lives.
Well this is the same issue many women face and yet are denied housing or a decent job because of stupid mistakes that happened when they were teenagers
He is out of touch with time. Donald is a yes man and like others in power. They are getting away with it.
I wouldn’t Vote for this crook. Is this the best donald, felon pedophile can do ? The stuff at the bottom of the barrel
Collins for Govenor,check his resume and loyalty to Florida to make it even better!
Wow what is Judd up to he must be a past or current criminal only criminals back other criminals because all know you commit crimes it’s for life not just that moment he has at least two crimes he was caught for how many times wasn’t he caught 1k I bet
And yet look at Rick Scott and His ties with Multimillion dollar healthcare fraud in Florida prior to him being governor.
He is the worst possible choice. He spends his time licking the ass of one DT
Great Hit Piece, Leftist Democrat Mouthpiece.
How did that Kool-Aid taste?
Just don’t tell me he is against legalizing cannabis in the State of Florida because it’s apparent that he smokes himself.
So a story where someone changed there ways early in life and became a productive member os society is a bad story if the guy happens to be conservative. Go figure.
Liberals only believe in second chances for people who vote Democrat.