Minutes after he delivered a strong statement in support of fighting the surge in home and automobile burglaries on the West Side of the City, the Albuquerque Police Officers’ Association (APOA) voted to endorse the election of Dan Lewis, candidate for city council in District 5.

Lewis explained to the police officers’ association members that he would support the need for more police officers on the streets, dependable equipment, and prioritized public safety funding, and would do so not just at election time, but all the time. 

“First responders must be the City’s first budget priority,” stated Lewis, minutes after Michael Cadigan, the incumbent who Lewis is seeking to replace on the council, addressed the association.

Lewis explained:  “In my remarks with the Police Association, I explained that I appreciated the work Mr. Cadigan had performed over the past eight years, but that it was a natural part of the democratic process to share with people where we are different and why it is important to change our voice on the City Council.  To that end, we discussed that many people had become disappointed in how the incumbent seemed to address public safety concerns only around re-election time.  We also talked about the recent news accounts concerning ethical breaches and business conflicts of interest that revealed how Mr. Cadigan, as a lawyer in private practice, is representing clients on zoning and other contentious issues that come before him in his official role on the council. 

Lewis continued:  “The bottom line of my discussion with the Police Officers’ Association, as it has been with the voters I meet every day, is that:  It is possible to have an effective councilor, and an ethical one, and that we do not have to settle for one or the other.  Being a good city councilor is not mutually exclusive from being an ethical city councilor.  I will work with all of my heart to perform honorably on both fronts” promised Lewis.

Lewis was also recently endorsed by former West Side city council candidate, Democrat Jeremy Toulouse, who withdrew from the race and threw his support behind Lewis, the only remaining contender to Cadigan.  

For Dan’s bio and additional information on his campaign, please visit www.ElectDanLewis.com.

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