Congressional candidate Abel Maldonado has picked up the endorsement of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).

Maldonado, a Republican, is running against Democrat Lois Capps, who has held the position 14 years. They are competing in the newly drawn 24th district, which encompasses Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, as well as a sliver of Ventura County.

PORAC, according to Maldonado, represents more than 64,000 officers and is the largest statewide public safety association in California and the largest statewide public safety association in the nation.

"PORAC prides itself on carefully scrutinizing the qualifications of every candidate," said PORAC President Ron Cottingham.  He said Maldonado “will be an excellent representative ….especially in regards to issues involving public safety.”