Decatur, IL – The Illinois’ Democrats’ so-called “SAFE-T Act” has become a topic of contention in Illinois’ 13th CD race.
Democrat Congressional Candidate Nikki Budzinski was criticized over the past week for an ad that misrepresents her support from law enforcement.
The ad features retired Macon County Sheriff Tony Brown.
According to the Decatur Herald Review:
However, the ad only identifies him as “Sheriff Brown” and he appears to be wearing a polo with the words “sheriff” on his sleeve and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office logo on his chest. And there are portions of the ad where Brown is standing in front of a squad vehicle with police lights flashing.
Nowhere in the advertisement does it identify Brown as the “former sheriff” or make clear that he is acting in his capacity as a private citizen.
The statement from the office he formerly led continues by saying that Brown “is not representing the views of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office but rather his personal opinion.”
Brown lost a contentious election recount lawsuit and retired in June 2021.
More outlandish is the ad’s claim that Nikki does not support defunding the police.
As senior advisor to the governor, Budzinski was instrumental in the passage of the controversial SAFE-T Act that was opposed by nearly every law enforcement organization in the state for its dangerous and defunding mechanisms.
Budzinski even doubled down her support of the SAFE-T Act on her website, applauding the anti-police legislation saying it was a “definitive step in the right direction” and that “we need more action at the federal level.”
She is also financially backed by and has consulted for Minyon Moore – a strong supporter of the Defund the Police movement and a top outside adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Nikki helped pass legislation to actively undermine and defund our law enforcement and said we need more like it at the federal level,” said Melanie Meyers, campaign manager for Regan for Congress. “She supports defunding legislation, she is funded by Defund the Police movement leaders and she is now stooping to misrepresenting law enforcement support in ads. She will not be the voice the 13th District needs to represent its police or its people in Congress.
Regan Deering strongly opposes the SAFE-T Act and other police defunding mechanisms. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police has endorsed Deering.
