Today, in the latest sign of momentum for Fred Hubbell’s campaign for governor, eight sheriffs from all across Iowa are endorsing Fred for governor, citing his commitment to a smart public safety approach that includes investing in community-based mental health services.
Sheriffs endorsing Fred include:
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Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek, Johnson County and former President of Iowa State Sheriffs And Deputies Association
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Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald, Story County former President of the National Sheriffs Association
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Sheriff Brian Gardner, Linn County and former President of Iowa State Sheriffs And Deputies Association
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Sheriff Mike Johnstone, Des Moines County
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Sheriff Thomas Kriegel, Poweshiek County
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Sheriff Rick Lincoln, Clinton County
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Sheriff Bill McCarthy, Polk County
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Sheriff Tony Thompson, Black Hawk County
They join a growing list of Iowa elected officials who are supporting Fred.
Many of these sheriffs hosted Fred during his recent statewide ‘Mental Health Tour’. On the tour he heard from patients, providers, and law enforcement - all on the front lines - about the realities Iowans face from a lack of proper beds, community facilities, and mental health professionals. Following the tour, Fred released a mental health plan that included real solutions to the crisis including support for Iowa jails’ diversion programs and investing in community-based treatment, such tactics have proven to not only be cost effective but actually gives those in need the proper treatment they deserve.
"As a public safety official who has seen up close the failures of our mental health system in treating individuals in need, I am supporting Fred, because I know he is a leader who will address our mental health crisis in a smart and effective way," said Johnson County Sheriff and former President of the Iowa State Sheriffs And Deputies Association Lonny Pulkrabek. "We need a governor who will put our communities first, support us, and work with us, so we can thrive."
“I traveled with Fred all across the state and know he is the leader we need who understands that in order to ensure public safety, we need to invest in our communities and show people the respect and care they deserve. Iowans with a mental illness should not be ending up in our jails because they have nowhere else in the community to turn to for treatment,” said Story County Sheriff and former President of the National Sheriffs Association Paul Fitzgerald. “Fred understands that by investing in good diversion programs and community-based treatment facilities, mental health patients will not only be getting the treatment they actually need, but these programs will save the state and county money by reducing recidivism.”
“Fred is someone who understands the importance of local communities and will put people in this state first again,” said Linn County Sheriff and former President of the Iowa State Sheriffs And Deputies Association Brian Gardner. “As a public safety official, our goal is to help our local community prosper, and to do that we need a governor who respects and invests in the local services that our communities need to grow.”
“Fred earned my support by showing up, being engaged, and proposing solutions that would make a difference for Des Moines County,” said Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone. “Our jails are completely overburdened as the catch-all, along with emergency rooms, for those with mental illness who have nowhere else to turn. It’s time to recognize and address our mental health crisis, and that’s why I support Fred Hubbell.”
“I’m supporting Fred, because he is a proven leader who I know will deliver for local communities like Poweshiek,” said Poweshiek County Sheriff Thomas Kriegel. “I am proud to be with Fred as he works to restore opportunities across Iowa, instead of reducing them.”
“I’m with Fred because he knows that what we need in Clinton is more local solutions and investment at the local level,” said Clinton County Sheriff Rick Lincoln. “Fred will make a great governor for Iowa, bringing proven leadership back into that office by putting people and local communities first again. ”
“I’ve known Fred for many years and proudly endorse him for two simple reasons: he recognizes that the mental health crisis is also becoming a public safety crisis and he has real solutions to address it, and he is a results-driven leader who respects and will deliver for local communities,” said Polk County Sheriff Bill McCarthy. “In these tough budget times, we face underfunding and looming cuts because of fiscal mismanagement at the top, we need a proven leader who can get the state back on track.”
“I am endorsing Fred because he is a proven and thoughtful leader who understands the mental health crisis is a crisis,” said Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson. “More and more we have folks showing up in our jails who do not belong here, it’s costly and inhumane. We need to get to work to quickly address this worsening crisis with a governor like Fred who can turn our mental health system around.”
“I am humbled and honored to have the endorsement of these progressive Sheriffs from across Iowa,” said Fred Hubbell. “As public safety advisors, their expertise and insights in regards to public safety, local government, and our broken state mental health system will be invaluable to our campaign. I look forward to working with them very closely in the months ahead.”
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