Mayoral contender Paul Vallas denouces police union’s invite to ‘right-wing extremist’ Ron DeSantis
that represents most of Chicago’s rank-and-file police officers, has been under fire for his ties to the FOP and conservative supporters but released a statement aimed at quelling those concerns.Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas speaks with attendees during a mayoral forum on Jan. 26, 2023.
In the statement, Vallas said he wants to “build trust between all of Chicago’s communities and the police by holding everyone accountable, because that is the only way we can make our city safer.” The FOP’s decision to invite DeSantis, Vallas said, “makes that job harder.”Vallas’ association with Chicago’s FOP has been a recurring controversy. As he makes his second bid for Chicago mayor and proclaims himself a “support from conservatives in the city and state.
Still, Vallas has drawn criticism for his associations with conservatives, including firebrand FOP President John Catanzara. Catanzara retired from the Chicago Police Department while facing potential termination after a career as one of the department’s most disciplined officers. He has also made numerous offensive statements, including defending Jan. 6 protesters in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection and comparing Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s vaccine mandate to the Holocaust.
Vallas has repeatedly sidestepped questions about his support from the FOP and Catanzara by saying the endorsement “comes from the rank-and-file” and argued it will help him implement reforms.
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