Police Union Pulls Support Amid Wadsack’s Criticism

The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police has rescinded its endorsement of Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson, amidst her heated July 30 primary battle, following her public criticism of Tucson police for citing her for criminal speeding.

According to Chuck Coughlin of HighGround Public Affairs, the police union’s withdrawal of support from a Republican primary candidate is a “significant development.” This union represents over 9,400 members throughout Arizona.

Coughlin remarked that the true impact of this move is uncertain given that many voters have already cast their ballots.

On July 12, the Tucson Sentinel detailed the March 15 traffic stop involving Wadsack. Coughlin pointed out that, considering the razor-thin margin in Wadsack’s previous victory, the loss of the police union’s endorsement could be a critical blow to her campaign.

In the 2022 Republican primary, Wadsack narrowly defeated former Sen. Vince Leach by a margin of 5%. Leach is once again opposing her in the current GOP primary.

Wadsack has vehemently denied speeding and labeled the citation as “political persecution.” The police union cited her recent behavior and statements demeaning law enforcement as the reason for retracting their support, stated in a press release.

The union asserted that Wadsack was “treated in strict accordance with the law” and condemned her accusations against the Tucson police department.

Arizona Fraternal Order of Police President Paul Sheldon stated, “While Sen. Wadsack has been a consistent supporter of public safety in her official capacity, this incident and her decision to publicly impugn the motives of police personnel is conduct unbecoming an elected representative.”

On March 1, Wadsack was stopped on Speedway Boulevard in Tucson for driving 71 mph in a 35 mph zone. Due to legislative immunity, she wasn’t cited at the time. She also failed to provide proof of insurance during the stop, according to Tucson Police Department Sgt. Richard Gradillas.

Legislative immunity prevents lawmakers from being cited or arrested while the Legislature is in session, intended to safeguard them from wrongful detainment.

During the stop, Wadsack quickly identified herself as “Senator Justine Wadsack,” claiming she was hurrying home because her Tesla had only four miles of charge left. Following the session’s end on June 15, an officer contacted her on June 27 to arrange for her to sign the citation, which she refused, Gradillas noted.

Reports indicate that Wadsack became irate when the officer addressed her as “Mrs. Wadsack” instead of “Senator Wadsack” and demanded to speak with the chief of police.

A misdemeanor summons was subsequently issued in Tucson City Court. Despite multiple inquiries from the Arizona Capitol Times, Wadsack declined to comment directly.

Wadsack took to Facebook on July 20 to deny the speeding allegations, claiming she’d “never heard of ticketing me months later” due to legislative immunity. She added that legal advisors had told her such actions were “highly irregular.”

She cited the case of former lawmaker Paul Mosley, who was charged for criminal speeding months after his March 2018 stop, invoking legislative immunity as justification during the incident.

Wadsack also asserted that she is “investigating TPD” following a constituent complaint about alleged police harassment.

“To be clear, I still back the blue,” Wadsack concluded in her post.

Wadsack is vying to retain her state Senate seat against Leach. In response, Leach criticized the notion of using a Senate title to avoid a ticket as an “affront to the voters and public.”