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Roger Salazar, (916) 444-8897

March 31, 2010

Sacramento Area Legislators Steinberg & Jones

Endorse Captain Jim Cooper for Sheriff

Cooper also receives endorsement of former Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico

SACRAMENTO -- California State Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assemblymember Dave Jones today individually announved their endorsements of Captain Cooper as the next Sheriff of Sacramento County.

"I am proud to endorse Captain Cooper as the next Sheriff for Sacramento County," said Steinberg, whose 6th Senate district covers a large protion of Sacramento County, including the cities of Sacramento, North Highlands, Citrus Heights and poritons of Elk Grove, Rio Linda, Carmichael and Rancho Cordova.

"Our community needs a leader who has experience in the field and the ability to be a strong leader as well as a strong fiscal manager," Steinberg continued.  "Jim has all three of those and will help bring morale back to Sacramento County and ensure public safety."

Assemblymember Dave Jones represents California’s 9^th Assembly District, which includes a large portion of Sacramento, including Downtown, Florin, South Sacramento, the Pocket, Land Park, South Natomas and parts of Elk Grove.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Sen. Steinberg and Asm. Jones,” Cooper said. “It is essential for Sacramento-area law enforcement and lawmakers to work hand-in-glove to ensure the safety of the public. I look forward to working with Sen. Steinberg and Asm. Jones as we strive to protect our neighborhoods and enhance the livability of our community.”

Cooper also recently received the endorsement of former Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico.

“It is my pleasure to endorse your candidacy for Sacramento County Sheriff,” Asm. Torrico wrote in an endorsement letter to Cooper. “Your longstanding commitment to public safety, broad experience and vision for the County of Sacramento will make you a great Sheriff,” the letter continued.

Steinberg, Jones and Torrico join a long list of organizations and local elected officials to endorse Cooper including the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Law Enforcement Managers’ Association, Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522, Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California Asian Peace Officers Association, and the Sacramento Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, to name a few.

Cooper is running for Sheriff of Sacramento County in the June 2010 election. He has served the people of Sacramento County in the Sheriff's Department for more than 25 years. Cooper spent nine of those 25 years undercover taking down gangs and drug dealers and has been honored with a Bronze Star for Bravery. Today, he serves as Commander of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crime’s Task Force investigating Internet crimes against children and identity theft.

Cooper also serves as a founding City Council member for the City of Elk Grove.

As Elk Grove’s first Mayor, Cooper set the tone for how the city conducts business today, with transparency, accessibility, regional partnership and public engagement as the cornerstones for a successful government.

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