Nassau’s police and detective unions pull support from GOP’s Donnelly, decline to back either candidate in DA race

Two of Nassau’s biggest police unions are staying out of November’s contentious district attorney race — a stunning break after helping propel Republican Anne Donnelly to the county’s top law enforcement post in 2021.

The county’s Detective’s Association notably left the incumbent, Donnelly, off its list of endorsed candidates when the group announced its slate last week. The Nassau Police Benevolent Association also surprisingly decided not to weigh in on the race — only publicly endorsing County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, for reelection. 

It’s not immediately clear why the county’s two major law enforcement unions have pulled their support from Donnelly, after praising her as “the real deal” when backing her 2021 win. 

Both unions did not respond to requests for comment.

The heated race pits Donnelly against rival Democrat Nicole Aloise, a former prosecutor in Donnelly’s office.

The loss of the powerful law enforcement unions is fueling concerns around Donnelly’s campaign, which also failed to win the support of the State Troopers and Supreme Court Officers associations, who are backing Aloise — groups that endorsed Donnelly in the last election.

“Our law enforcement community puts their lives on the line every day to keep our families safe –- they know I’ll have their back as DA. I’m proud to have their support,” Aloise said.

Donnelly has however, managed to garner support from the county’s Deputy Sheriff’s and Corrections Officer’s unions as well as the Associations of Former Detectives and Superior Officers.

“District Attorney Donnelly is grateful for the endorsements that she has received,” DA spokesperson Mike Deery told The Post.

The endorsement shuffling sets up an intriguing final leg of the public safety campaign.

Although crime in Nassau County has fallen 25% to start the year, Donnelly’s first two years as DA saw major crimes rise 44% — the highest level since 2013 — while her office has simultaneously posted its lowest felony conviction rate since 2014, according to countywide police data. 

Roughly 90 assistant district attorneys, including Aloise, have also resigned under Donnelly’s watch, citing a toxic workplace culture and claims that the office prioritizes publicity over prosecution. 

Donnelly has adamantly defended her record, however, pointing to a recent decline in overall crime and her office’s work on MS13 crackdowns and drug trafficking as well as recently recovering $2 million in labor theft — arguing her priorities remain focused on keeping Nassau residents safe.

The pair are set to face off on the Nov. 4 ballot.