UPDATE: Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Scott Hamilton for Wicomico County Sheriff; Hamilton Issues Statement

UPDATED– 03/11/26: 

Statement Regarding Lodge #111 Political Endorsement
Following the recent endorsement vote at the regular monthly meeting of Lodge #111 in
support of my candidacy for Sheriff, I want to address the process used and how we are
moving forward. I have spent today gathering as many facts as possible to issue this
statement, based on actual events that took place during the meeting on March 9, 2026.
Prior to the meeting, members were notified by email that I would briefly address my
candidacy and that discussions had begun about possibly hosting a candidate forum.
When those conversations began among members of the Board of Directors, I made it
clear that I would remain out of those discussions and asked that the Board follow the
Lodge bylaws as they proceeded.
When the meeting began on, it was like any regular meeting. I provided a brief
statement to the membership regarding my candidacy and addressed the possibility of a
candidate forum. I explained that if the Lodge wished to host a forum, it would require a
motion and vote of the membership, which had not yet occurred. I also told the
members that I would gladly participate in a forum if that was the will of the
membership.
After making those remarks, the membership did not have any follow-up questions for
me, so I then recused myself and left the meeting to attend another event where I had
been scheduled to speak. Because I am both a candidate and an officer of the Lodge, I
believed it was important to remove myself from the room so the members could
deliberate freely.
Several hours later, I was surprised to learn that the members who remained at the
meeting voted to proceed with an endorsement process immediately, prior to the forum,
and subsequently made a motion and voted to endorse my candidacy. Afterall, I left the
meeting with the knowledge that the forum was already planned, and I had conveyed to
the membership that I like the idea of attending it.

Late yesterday evening, I received a formal letter signed by two active members of the
Lodge requesting that I withhold publicly announcing the endorsement and convene a
committee to review the validity of the vote. I was only able to review that letter a few
minutes before the Vice President’s press release announcing the endorsement was
distributed. Out of respect for that request, my campaign has not publicly referenced the
endorsement on any of our platforms, and we will withhold the announcement until the
committee has made a determination.
Out of respect for the membership and the integrity of Lodge #111’s processes, I have
called for an immediate review to determine whether any bylaws were violated when the
motion to endorse was made by the members who were present at the meeting. This
review will likely include a small committee of members who were not in attendance
reviewing the Lodge bylaws and the meeting minutes before making a determination.
Once the review is complete, the committee will present its findings to the Board of
Directors, who will then report the results to the membership and the media.
To be clear, the Lodge bylaws do not require that a candidate forum be held prior to an
endorsement vote, and in this case the endorsement vote itself was made by the
members who attended the meeting. I also understand that the previously scheduled
forum will still take place. I respect that members who were not present at the meeting
should have the opportunity to hear from all candidates and learn what each has
planned if elected. It is important that the Lodge’s established procedures are respected
so the entire membership can have confidence in the outcome.
On behalf of the members of Lodge #111, I respectfully ask that everyone allow this
process to move forward. If it is determined that the membership acted in error when
the motion was made, there will be further discussion regarding any future
endorsements or how the Lodge may address the previous motion.

Released by: Scott M. Hamilton, President, Lodge #111

Original Post:

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #111 has endorsed Scott Hamilton in his campaign for sheriff. The Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest organization representing sworn law enforcement officers, announced the endorsement this week. The organization said the endorsement reflects support among its members for Hamilton’s candidacy and his approach to issues facing the Sheriff’s Office. Hamilton said he appreciates the endorsement and emphasized his commitment to working effectively with deputies. For more information about Scott Hamilton’s campaign, email
scotthamilton4w200@gmail.com or visit his website at hamiltonforsheriff.com.