Jeff Ashton, candidate for State Attorney for Orange-Osceola County, announced Tuesday he has secured the endorsements of both the Orlando Professional Fire Fighters and the Orange County Professional Fire Fighters.
The two organizations represent more than 1,500 firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers and fire inspectors that serve the City of Orlando and unincorporated Orange County.
“I am honored that the men and women who serve as first responders believe so deeply in my mission to run the State Attorney’s Office like a law firm rather than a bureaucracy,” Ashton said. “Firefighters and law enforcement officers are key stake holders and we need to work together to keep the community safe.”
In his letter of endorsement, Andre Perez, President of the Orange County Professional Firefighters, wrote to Ashton, “Over the years, the Orange County Firefighters have respected your work in the position of prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office in Orlando. Your expertise, experience and success will be necessary in order to take the State Attorney’s Office to the next level. After listening to your vision and goals, you are the obvious person for the job.”
Ashton, who worked as an Assistant State Attorney for 30 years before retiring last July, tried hundreds of cases during his career and worked with dozens of firefighters who served as witnesses in cases.
“We appreciate your reaching out to our organization and listening to our concerns when firefighters interact with the State Attorney’s Office at crime scenes and as witnesses in criminal cases,” wrote Steve Clelland, President of the Orlando Professional Fire Fighters, in his letter. “Orlando Fire Fighters recognize and appreciate your 30 years of public safety and service to the community.”
Ashton has said, if elected, he will overhaul and modernize the State Attorney’s Office, making it more responsive to the communities’ needs. He has also said he will hold a series of meetings to solicit input and ideas from communities served by the Office, in fulfillment of these goals.
Ashton will face off against incumbent Lawson Lamar in a Democratic primary on August 14. The winner of that open primary race will be the next State Attorney for the next four years. There isn’t a Republican candidate in the race. Early voting runs from August 4-11.
