Nassau Police Unions Withdraw Support from DA Race

Two major police unions in Nassau are stepping away from the contentious district attorney race this November. This marks a significant departure from their previous support for Republican Anne Donnelly, whom they backed during her successful campaign for the county’s top law enforcement position in 2021.

Last week, the county detectives association excluded Donnelly from its endorsement list, a surprising decision. Similarly, the Nassau Police Charity Association opted not to endorse any candidate in the upcoming race.

It remains unclear why these unions have withdrawn their backing for Donnelly, especially after previously praising her as a “real deal” during her 2021 victory.

Requests for comment from both unions have gone unanswered.

The race is heating up, with Donnelly facing off against Democrat Nicole Alloys, a former prosecutor in her office.

The unions’ decision to distance themselves from Donnelly raises concerns about her campaign’s viability. She has also lost the support of other law enforcement groups, including state police and the Supreme Court Officers Association, which had previously backed her.

Donnelly emphasized her commitment to law enforcement, stating, “Our law enforcement community puts life on the line every day to keep our families safe, and they know I have their back as a DA.” Despite the unions’ withdrawal, she has gained the backing of the county’s deputy sheriff and corrections officer union, as well as former detectives and superiors.

A spokesman for Donnelly expressed appreciation for the support received, noting, “Donnelly is grateful for the support she received.” This ongoing situation adds an intriguing layer to the public safety campaign.

While crime in Nassau County dropped by 25% at the beginning of the year, Donnelly’s office experienced a 44% rise in caseload, yet reported the lowest felony conviction rate since 2014 during her tenure—highlighting some contradictions in her record.

Moreover, about 90 district attorneys have resigned under her leadership, citing a toxic workplace environment that prioritizes publicity over prosecution.

Donnelly has defended her record, pointing to recent crime declines and successful actions against MS13 and drug trafficking, including recovering a significant amount of stolen labor funds. The candidates will compete on November 4th.