Fairfax County Sheriff Stan Barry
Receives Endorsement from
Law Enforcement Alliance of America

Conservative Organization Backs Democrat

Falls Church - Fairfax County Sheriff Stan Barry (D), has won the endorsement of the 75,000 strong Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA). The Virginia headquartered LEAA is a conservative, membership based advocacy organization.

LEAA is pleased to add its endorsement to the long list of other law enforcement groups who have endorsed Stan Barry, including, the Fairfax County Sheriffs Association, the Fairfax County Deputy Sheriffs Coalition, the Fairfax Coalition of Police, the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, the International Union of Police Associations, the Virginia Coalition of Police and the Fraternal Order Of Police.

LEAA is a non-partisan organization. However, because Republicans are often more supportive than Democrats on law and order issues important to LEAA, in the past significantly more Republicans have received LEAA’s endorsement than Democrats. For example, LEAA has been an aggressive supporter of prominent Virginia Republicans, from Senator Allen to Governor Gilmore and most recently, Attorney General Kilgore. LEAA also strongly endorsed George W. Bush in the last presidential election.

In this election however, because of clear issue differences between Stan Barry and his GOP opponent, we enthusiastically endorse Democrat Stan Barry for Fairfax County Sheriff. We are pleased to report that Sheriff Barry is an active LEAA Member.

LEAA Executive Director Jim Fotis said of LEAA’s endorsement for the Fairfax County Democrat, “Sheriff Barry has proven himself a solid law enforcement leader and those credentials mean a lot more than party affiliation. We’re proud to have him as a Member and proud to endorse him for re-election.” Fotis noted that his organization’s conservative principles are non-partisan and LEAA will continue to offer their endorsement to the best candidate, regardless of party affiliation.

For more information on Sheriff Barry's campaign, check out the Fairfax County Sheriff website at
http://www.fairfaxsheriff.com

With over 75,000 members and supporters nation-wide, the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) is the nation’s largest coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims, and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer.

LEAA Member and Fairfax County Sheriff, Stan Barry is seeking re-election. The election is on Tuesday, November 4th, 2003. Sheriff Barry won election in 1999 by defeating his opponent by almost 7,500 votes. Experts believe this election will be decided on voter turn out and key voter groups. In a surprising turn of events, many traditional conservative voters, like gun-owners, are supporting Sheriff Barry, a Democrat, over the Republican challenger. The switch of support of traditional "R" voters to Sheriff Barry is expected to be pivotal to the outcome of the election.

The Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) is the leading conservative police voice in America. From supporting gubernatorial candidate George W. Bush (R) in his successful battle against Governor Richards in Texas, to being the first national police group to endorse Bush in his presidential bid, LEAA's tough-on-crime, pro-second amendment, conservative pedigree is well know and respected. Nationally, LEAA supported Attorney General John Ashcroft (R) and in Virginia it supported Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R). Now, LEAA stands up and proudly endorses Sheriff Stan Barry (D) for re-election as Sheriff of Fairfax County.

LEAA's Executive Director, Jim Fotis (on right) a highly decorated retired officer from New York, meets with Sheriff Barry to discuss critical law enforcement issues. LEAA co-authored H.R. 218 / S. 253 , "The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act", legislation pending before Congress that would allow qualified, off-duty and retired law enforcement to carry concealed firearms nationwide -- at no cost to the taxpayer. LEAA supported Right-to-Carry reform in Virginia (allowing honest citizens to carry a concealed firearms for self defense) and was the leading law enforcement voice supporting its passage during Governor Allen's tenure.