California state Senator Scott Wiener has rejected campaign support from law enforcement unions, yet these same unions continue to fund his initiatives, which some label as anti-police and pro-LGBTQ.
Wiener, 56, has drawn significant criticism since entering the state Senate a decade ago. He has made several controversial claims, including:
- Easing criminal penalties for those associated with HIV-positive sex workers.
- Exempting certain adults engaged in sexual acts with minors from being registered as sex offenders.
- Creating a “sanctuary” in California for parents seeking gender-related medical treatments banned in other states.
- Removing minimum requirements for prosecuting opioid trafficking and other drug offenses.
- SB627, labeled the Secret Police Act, limits law enforcement officers from wearing masks, which many argue provides protection against identity theft.
Critics point out, “Scott Wiener has demonstrated that he is not supportive of law enforcement.”
Wiener’s animosity towards police is evident. In June 2020, amid the protests following George Floyd’s death, he announced that his campaign would no longer accept contributions from law enforcement unions, claiming that “our justice system is broken and requires fundamental change.” He emphasized the system’s detrimental impact on people, particularly those of color, stating his commitment to fighting for this change.
Despite denouncing police union support, funds from these unions continue to reach him, primarily through the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus Leadership Fund, which he is part of. Since January 2020, three police associations have donated a total of $210,000 to this fund, according to state records.
In parallel, filings indicate the LGBTQ Caucus Fund has given $11,000 directly to Wiener’s campaign committee and an additional $27,000 to support his re-election efforts in 2020.
While Wiener holds a seat on the LGBTQ caucus and is currently the chair of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Reform Committee, he proposed a bill preventing anyone required to register as a sex offender from running for office in California, which received unanimous support in the Assembly.
Interestingly, Wiener contested that the bill should apply only to the most severe offenders, despite the range of crimes that could classify someone as a Tier 1 offender.
Notably, this year, a registered sex offender who had attempted to run for local office fell short of the required signatures.
Many within law enforcement express frustration over the Democratic support for initiatives they feel harm policing efforts while amplifying the voices of those with criminal backgrounds. Sergeant Tony Romo, a veteran of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, announced his retirement from the board of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association, citing that the organization was compromising the interests of its members through its connections with politicians like Wiener.
Romo elaborated that lawmakers are enacting legislation that restricts police officers, a situation exacerbated by unions that financially back these anti-police measures.
He also noted that even after Wiener renounced police union support, the L.A. County PPOA had discussed contributions to him, which they ultimately did not follow through with, given his widely recognized anti-police stance.
As Wiener advances his campaign for a position in the U.S. House representing parts of San Francisco, he hasn’t publicly addressed requests for comments on this matter.
