Block lands endorsement of San Diego Police Officers

Marty Block (D-San Carlos), candidate for state Assembly in the San Diego County-based 78th district, received the endorsement of the San Diego Police Officers Association this week, a union that represents 2,000 officers.

Block's opponent for the open seat, Republican John McCann, a Chula Vista city councilman, did not actively seek the organization's endorsement, according to Bill Nemec, president of SDPOA.

"Most of our members are Republicans," Nemec said. "But things have become so partisan, and Republicans will tell us, 'you're a union, I don't want your endorsement.'"

Given the organization's mostly Republican membership, Nemec was unsure how much the endorsement will matter.

"Occasionally, our endorsement does hold sway with our members," Nemec said. "In this case, with Marty, I think it probably will, because Marty has been sensitive to law enforcement issues."

Nemec said the organization's political action committee will also get involved. "I suspect we'll be looking into some independent expenditures for Marty," he said.