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Hensley earns endorsement from Republican sheriffs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In her bid to beat constitutional law professor Joshua Hawley in the race for attorney general, former Cass County prosecutor Teresa Hensley has touted her time in office serving as a member of law enforcement in the courtroom.

Hensley can bolster that reputation a little more after Tuesday when three Republican sheriffs in the Kansas City area endorsed her, crossing party lines to do so. Sheriffs Paul Vescovo, III of Clay County, Mark Owen of Platte County, and Dwight Diehl of Cass County all endorsed Hansley in an announcement made Tuesday morning.

“As Platte County Sheriff, I have made the safety of our children a priority,” Owen said. “In the digital age, that is more difficult to do. I am impressed with the work Teresa Hensley has done as Cass County Prosecutor to keep our children safe. Teresa has my endorsement.”

Hensley said she was “honored” to have the endorsement of three elected officials from the opposite side of the aisle.

“The fact that they are Republicans underscores what I’ve been saying all along: when it comes to enforcing the law and keeping our most vulnerable citizens safe, there’s no room for politics,” she said. “We need an Attorney General who understands what the job means. It means putting the law first. That’s what I’ve always done, and will continue to do, for Missouri families.”

Hensley has touted her law enforcement credentials and ability to get convictions against criminals in most, if not all, of her advertising. She has also garnered the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest union of police officers in the state.

However, the most recent polling from the Missouri Times shows Hawley (featured, left) with a six-point lead over Hensley (featured, right).