HONOLULU, HAWAII – Joined by the Board of Directors of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO), President Tenari Ma’afala announced today that Hawaii’s police officers’ union is endorsing former Governor Linda Lingle in her bid for Hawaii’s open U.S. Senate seat.
“Governor Lingle has always had our police officers in her heart, and she advocated for us in every leadership position she has held – from Maui’s Mayor to Hawaii’s Governor. Â We know she will represent Hawaii’s police officers and our brethren across the country well when we elect her to serve in Washington, D.C.,” said SHOPO President, Tenari Ma’afala. “This is not just an endorsement. It is a full-on commitment from us to play a major role in Gov. Lingle’s campaign for the next 10 months,” Ma’afala added.
“Having the backing and support of ‘Hawaii’s Finest’ has been a true honor for me since SHOPO’s first endorsement of my campaigns in 2002. Â As Governor, my top priority for the state was the safety of the public. I could always count on our outstanding uniformed officers, who put their lives on the line every single day, to share the same commitment to keeping all the people of Hawaii safe. Â The SHOPO members and their families have always been, and will continue to be, part of my extended ‘ohana. I am extremely humbled by today’s endorsement, and will always honor the faith SHOPO has shown in me by putting Hawaii’s ‘people first’,” said Governor Linda Lingle.
SHOPO previously endorsed Governor Lingle in her gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and her re-election campaign in 2006.
To personally express her appreciation to the union members for their support, Governor Lingle will travel throughout the state this week to visit with police officers at all of the SHOPO chapters including Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai.
SHOPO was formed in 1971 and is an independent, non-affiliated union for police officers, and is the only law enforcement union in the state.
Additional information on the Linda Lingle Senate campaign is available at www.lingle2012.com. Follow the campaign updates on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/lingle2012.com, Twitter at @lingle2012, and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/Lingle2012
The campaign recently launched its customized Lingle 2012 app for iPhones and Android devices.  To download, use the browser on a mobile device to access the campaign’s mobile website at www.lingle2012.com/mobile-app.  Click on the mobile app icon and the app will automatically download and install on the mobile device.  The mobile app can also be downloaded directly from the Apple App Store or Android Market by searching for ‘Lingle 2012’.