Two outside deputy sheriff’s associations have followed the lead
of their counterpart in San Benito County by withdrawing
endorsements of Pat Turturici for sheriff. The deputy sheriff’s
unions in Santa Clara and Monterey counties today said they were
withdrawing their support for the undersheriff, who is running
against Watsonville police Lt. Darren Thompson in the November
election.
Two outside deputy sheriff’s associations have followed the lead of their counterpart in San Benito County by withdrawing endorsements of Pat Turturici for sheriff.
The deputy sheriff’s unions in Santa Clara and Monterey counties today said they were withdrawing their support for the undersheriff, who is running against Watsonville police Lt. Darren Thompson in the November election.
A third organization that collectively represents sheriff and police associations throughout the state, meanwhile, also has announced it withdrew its prior endorsement of Turturici because it had based its support on that of the San Benito County association.
The announcements from the two outside unions came 10 days after the San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association said it was withdrawing its official support for Turturici. The statewide organization, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, sent a letter a week ago notifying Turturici about its decision and to refrain from using its name as a supporter.
San Benito County’s union president, Mike Mull, had noted in early October how the majority of local voting members decided to withdraw the Turturici endorsement – and stay neutral in the race on the Nov. 2 ballot – while citing “integrity” and “ethical” issues.
The one concern pointed out by Mull was how the undersheriff June 24 accepted a $750 donation from a known felon on probation who was charged three years ago on suspicion of drug and weapons charges. Mull said Turturici in the earlier primary told deputies – including Mull – to make negative, anonymous posts on the Free Lance website about prior sheriff’s candidate Robert Scattini taking campaign funds from the same convicted felon, Kenneth Perez.
Santa Clara County DSA President Matthew Dutra today told the Free Lance that the organization’s members voted unanimously at a recent meeting, at the request of the San Benito County deputy union, to withdraw the Turturici endorsement. The Santa Clara County DSA then moved to put their official support behind Thompson.
The third sheriff’s union to previously endorse Turturici was the Monterey County group. Its president, Dennis Mitchell, confirmed its board has voted to withdraw the endorsement of Turturici and that the consideration will not be moving on to the general membership. He said the decision is final, without going for a broader vote, because San Benito County’s election does not have a “direct effect on our membership.” That union will stay neutral in the race, Mitchell said.
Dutra, with the Santa Clara County union, noted how deputy sheriff’s associations in the Central Coast region customarily follow the desire of the union where the open office is at stake. But Dutra also said the Santa Clara County members would have endorsed Thompson in the summer if there hadn’t been urging from the local DSA to support Turturici.
Dutra noted how the Santa Clara County DSA has members living in Hollister, San Juan Bautista and other areas of the county.
“When we decided on Turturici, I would say 100 percent of them came to us and said, ‘Are you guys crazy? Thompson’s the better candidate,'” Dutra recalled.
Dutra went on: “Now they’re all happy we’re going with the correct candidate.”
He said the Santa Clara association’s endorsement is rooted in Thompson’s level of experience. Dutra estimated there were about 30 members at the meeting where they unanimously withdrew the endorsement.
“The main reason is Thompson has a better overall experience working, with Santa Cruz County and Watsonville P.D.,” Dutra said. “Turturici, I hate to say it, all he’s ever been is a correctional officer. He never worked patrol. He doesn’t have the full level of experience.”
Turturici did not return a phone call from the Free Lance before publication.
Thompson noted how he had not spoken before Santa Clara or Monterey counties’ unions. He had talked earlier in the year to the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which endorsed Thompson.
“It’s very encouraging to me to see the support of our local law enforcement and the effort they’re making to be as professional and ethical as possible,” Thompson said.
Mull said local residents and surrounding law enforcement agencies have indicated San Benito County’s union acted appropriately.
“We appreciate the support of the community right now,” Mull said. “People are telling us how much they respect us and that we have done the right thing.”
Connor Ramey contributed to this report.
