First congressional candidate Rep. Andy Patrick, R- Hilton Head, announced Wednesday an endorsement from the Lowcountry Retired Law Enforcement Association.
Association President Bert DeFazio said: "As both a state trooper and Secret Service agent, Andy dealt with the same struggles we did. He will be a strong advocate for our men and women in law enforcement in the halls of Congress."

Patrick spent five years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force and then served as a New York state trooper. He later served more than a decade as an agent with the Secret Service where he planned the protection details for both President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.