Atlantic City's current mayor has the backing of the men and women in blue, according to the local police union.
The membership voted to endorse Marty Small for mayor this week.
Small along with former Local 54 Union President Bob McDevitt — who is leading a group challenging the incumbent mayor's ticket in the June primary — met with Atlantic City PBA Local 24 last week, President Jules Schwenger wrote in a letter to Small.
"After considering the statements made by each of you, the members present, representing 310 men and women comprising our PBA, unanimously voted to endorse you for re-election..." Schwenger wrote.
She wrote that Small's "commitment to public safety and community partnerships (have) strengthened our ability to protect and serve the residents of Atlantic City."
"I am honored and humbled to receive the unanimous endorsement by the best police department in the world, the fine men and women in blue," he told BreakingAC. "I look forward to their support as I will continue to be a champion for public safety here in the great city of Atlantic City."
Some questioned the backing as the mayor faces criminal charges claiming he beat his daughter. Charges Small has vehemently denied, saying it is a personal family matter.
The endorsement letter to Small acknowledged "that you face personal legal matters," but said "our endorsement reflects your leadership and accomplishment in office. We trust the legal process to take its course and remain focused on choosing the best leader for Atlantic City's future."
Schwenger told BreakingAC that she believes "the letter says it all."
"It may be controversial to some, but this decision was not made lightly," she added.
The PBA does not always endorse a candidate.
"Historically, we have supported different candidates, just not every time," Schwenger said.
The mayor and PBA president did hit a snag in their relationship last year, when Schwenger put out a statement calling for more officers in light of 2024 beginning with four homicides in the first seven days.
Small — who was not mentioned in the statement — accused the move of being political when he addressed it during an impromptu Facebook Live.
"I expect that from political opportunists," he said. "I don't expect it from my own Police Department."
Schwenger took issue with the mayor's words.
"As the people who have to stare death and evil in the face when someone is killed, we aren't politicizing anything," she told BreakingAC after the mayor's talk. "It's disappointing that it has sunk to social media insults when we should be working together for the sake of everyone."
But that all seems to be in the past, as Schwenger's endorsement letter had only good things to say about the mayor's support for the department, and urged all PBA members to re-elect Small.
