Moe Prevails, Captures Police Endorsement

Mayor Craig Moe has captured an endorsement from the union representing Laurel Police, but the union did not endorse a candidate for the at-large council seat.

Members of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 11, a union representing the Laurel Police Department, voted late Monday to endorse the majority of incumbents seeking re-election for mayor and city council Nov. 1.

Moe received a confidence vote from the union, besting his challengers and Valerie Cunningham.

While Moe and Sarich took verbal swipes at each other during a Monday candidate forum held by the union, Lodge President Jesse Conyngham said that Moe’s record with Laurel Police gave him the edge. He added that Sarich wasn’t able to convince union members that he could deliver on collective bargaining and wage increases.

“We came to a consensus,” he said. “[Moe] just had a track record with us. We’re just more confident in Mayor Moe’s word. [He] was more realistic” than Sarich.

Incumbents prevailed in all ward endorsements by the union, except for the at-large council seat held by Council President Mike Leszcz who is being challenged by Adrian B. Rousseau. Neither candidate could sway enough support from the union to capture the endorsement, Conyngham said.

Endorsement list:

Mayor:

Craig A. Moe

Council Seat, At-Large 

No endorsement 

Council Seat, Ward 1

Valerie M.A. Nicholas

Council Seat, Ward 2

 Donna L. Crary

 Frederick Smalls

Check out other 2011 local election coverage on Laurel Patch here. Be sure to add us on Facebook and on Twitter @laurelpatch.