Breaking with controversial Sheriff Scott Israel, the Broward Sheriff Deputies’ Union has endorsed Congressman Ron DeSantis in his bid to become Florida’s next Governor.

Jeff Bell, President of the Broward Sheriff’s Deputies Association, released a statement explaining that “Ron has consistently stood with law enforcement and supported us in our mission to keep communities safe. His opponent, Andrew Gillum, is hostile toward law enforcement.”

This hostility the association cites comes from Gillum signing the “Freedom Pledge,” which was drafted by an activist group called the Dream Defenders. The pledge calls for minority rights especially relating to the justice system.

In turn, the association says it includes anti-law enforcement language, noting that it says “police and prisons have no place in ‘justice’”. The pledge also says that cops “were never meant to protect and serve me and you,” and that “they started as slave catchers hired by wealthy plantation owners.”

In response, Bell commented that “This is a blatant attack on our law enforcement community, an insult to the citizens we work to protect, and dishonors the memory of our fallen officers.”

Johanne Cervone, spokeswoman for Andrew Gillum, said that “The mayor has been a strong ally of law enforcement in Tallahassee, investing in additional officers to help reduce crime across the city. As Mayor Gillum has previously said, he will not take money from the private prison industry and instead will invest in community policing, smart justice and strategies that work with communities to reduce crime and create better opportunities for all Floridians.”