SEATTLE -

[img_assist|nid=1808|title=Dino Rossi accepts the endorsement of the Seattle Police Officers' Guild|desc=Politicker photo|link=none|align=right|width=150|height=200]The Dino Rossi for governor campaign held a press conference today at the Seattle Police Officers' Guild headquarters in SoDo to announce the Guild's endorsement of Rossi for governor. The Seattle Guild, which represents 1202 officers and sergeants in Seattle, did not endorse either candidate in 2004.

Sergeant Richard O'Neill, President of the Seattle Police Officers' Guild said the endorsement was based in large part on their belief that Rossi would not allow the early release of convicted felons from prison, and that he would do better to improve the police officers' retirement system.

"Dino's proven leadership and continued commitment to law enforcement and public safety will serve the citizens of Washington well," O'Neill said in a press release accompanying the conference.  "We look forward to his continued support of the men and women of law enforcement and working closely with him in the future."  

 Rossi continued with the theme of early release, noting that Governor Chris Gregoire had overseen the early release of thousands of criminals in her tenure, and claimed that he would not allow any out before they had served their time. He also said he would make an effort to stop released felons from being able to be released under a "homeless" address, or in the vicinity of their victims.

"Our families deserve to be safe," Rossi said to reiterate his campaign slogan that he wants Washington to be the best place in America to start a business and the worst place to be a criminal.

"To have the endorsement of the Seattle Police Officers' Guild is a tremendous vote of confidence in our effort to make Washington the worst state in America to be a criminal," Rossi said in a press release. "This guild represents the men and women who must rise to the challenge of keeping our state's largest city safe, and I certainly count them among the state's major law enforcement organizations.  I applaud the work they're doing, and intend to fully support them as governor.

[img_assist|nid=1809|title=Sgt. Richard O'Neill, Seattle Police Officers and Dino Rossi|desc=Politicker photo|link=none|align=center|width=300|height=222] 

"Keeping our communities safe is not a simple task, but by working together we will keep dangerous felons off our streets, protect our children from sex offenders, and make Washington a safe place to raise a family."

Rossi, who also took Gregoire to task for claiming in the past that she had a lock on state law enforcement endorsements, has been endorsed by Police Officers' Guilds of Seattle, King County, and Renton, as well as law enforcement groups from Kitsap County, Port Orchard, Skamania County, Richland, DuPont and Lakewood.

The Guild's other endorsements can be seen here, and they include Democrat Marcie Maxwell in the 41st Legislative District and Republicans Mike Hope in the 44th Legislative District, Kevin Haistings in the 45th LD and Rep. Dave Reichert in the 8th Congressional District.