An indicted Austin police officer who is running for public office has received an endorsement from Gov. Greg Abbott, according to a report from Austin ABC affiliate KVUE. The station reported that Abbott endorsed Justin Berry, a Republican candidate for the Texas House of Representatives.
“I am thrilled to announce I have been endorsed by my fellow Republican and a true conservative champion,” Berry tweeted.
Berry is one of the 19 officers the Travis County District Attorney’s Office indicted in February for excessive force in connection with the May 2020 racial injustice protests that occurred in the Texas state capital.
KVUE reported that Berry is preparing for a May runoff against former Austin City Councilmember Ellen Troxclair.
The candidates are vying for District 19, which includes the Hill Country cities of Fredricksburg, Boerne and Burnet.
The Texas Secretary of State website shows that Berry earned over 35% of the vote in the March 2 primary while Troxclair secured 38%, according to the station.
In response to his indictment, KVUE reported, Berry insists he didn’t do anything wrong during the protests that arose from the deaths of George Floyd and Michael Ramos in that same year.
The law enforcement veteran asserts that Travis County DA José Garza is using his position to influence his campaign, the station reported.
Abbott has expressed support for the officers, alluding toward granting them clemency.
“In Texas, we do not defund and denigrate our law enforcement officers,” the governor said in a press release issued by his office earlier this year. “Instead we support them for risking their own lives and safety to protect our communities from people who endanger and attack our communities.”
