Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil has endorsed Loranne Ausley for Tallahassee mayor, joining a growing list of local elected officials, faith leaders and statewide political figures supporting her campaign.
The endorsement was included in an October 22 announcement from the Ausley campaign identifying more than 40 supporters, including nine local faith leaders, eight local current and former elected officials, and numerous political figures from across Florida.
McNeil’s endorsement adds to Ausley’s previously announced support from law enforcement organizations.
In April, the Big Bend Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA), which represents more than 500 Tallahassee police officers, endorsed Ausley for mayor.
At the time, PBA President Richard Murphy cited Ausley’s legislative record, stating that she had consistently defended law enforcement officers and advocated for additional funding to improve officer safety.
The sheriff joins several other local officials supporting Ausley, including Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna, School Board member Darryl Jones, Tax Collector Doris Maloy, Clerk of Courts Gwen Marshall, former Congressman Al Lawson, former Mayor John Marks and former state Representative Alan Williams.
The announcement also highlights support among Tallahassee’s religious leaders, including Rev. R.B. Holmes of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Titus Deas, Presiding Elder Rudy Ferguson and six other faith leaders.
Statewide endorsements include former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, U.S. Representatives Lois Frankel and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
“I’m humbled and honored by the trust this impressive list of individuals has placed in me and my campaign for mayor,” Ausley said.
The latest announcement follows previous endorsements from former mayoral candidate Daryl Parks and former City Commission candidate Talethia Edwards.
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