Gov. Rick Scott received a big boost Monday from a large number of Florida sheriff’s in his bid for the U.S. Senate. Scott received the endorsements of 55 sheriffs at a news conference in St. Petersburg.

The sheriffs cited Scott’s leadership during times of crisis, his willingness to work closely with law enforcement and his support for public safety issues as some of the reasons they chose to endorse Scott in his bid to win the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Bill Nelson.

“Throughout my time as governor, I have been honored to partner with Florida’s law enforcement leaders to champion important public safety investments and legislation to keep our families, visitors and communities safe,” Scott said in receiving the endorsement. “These brave, hardworking heroes help make Florida the best place for families to achieve their dreams, and today, I am proud to accept the endorsement of 55 Florida Sheriffs from all across the state.”

Scott used the occasion to unveil what he calls his Florida Strong Coalition.  Scott says the group will consist of law enforcement and public safety advocates who are in support of his campaign.

Two recent polls released in recent days gives Scott a slim lead in the race. Politico/AARP published a survey showing Scott holding a 1-percent lead — 40 percent to 39 percent. But he holds a 9-point lead — 44 percent to 39 percent — among voters 50 and older.

A survey by the Florida Chamber of Commerce shows Scott with a 1-point lead over Nelson — 40 percent to 39 percent.

The sheriff’s announcing their support of Scott include:

•   PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF BOB GUALTIERI
•   ALACHUA COUNTY SHERIFF SADIE DARNELL
•   BAKER COUNTY SHERIFF SCOTTY RHODEN
•   BAY COUNTY SHERIFF TOMMY FORD
•   BRADFORD COUNTY SHERIFF GORDON SMITH
•   BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF WAYNE IVEY
•   CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF BILL PRUMMELL, JR.
•   CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE PRENDERGAST
•   CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF DARRYL DANIELS
•   COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF KEVIN RAMBOSK
•   COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF MARK HUNTER
•   DESOTO COUNTY SHERIFF JAMES POTTER
•   DUVAL COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE WILLIAMS
•   ESCAMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF DAVID MORGAN
•   FLAGLER COUNTY SHERIFF RICK STALY
•   FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF A.J. SMITH
•   GILCHRIST COUNTY SHERIFF BOBBY SCHULTZ
•   GLADES COUNTY SHERIFF DAVID HARDIN
•   GULF COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE HARRISON
•   HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF HARRELL REID
•   HARDEE COUNTY SHERIFF ARNOLD LANIER
•   HENDRY COUNTY SHERIFF STEVE WHIDDEN
•   HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF AL NIENHUIS
•   HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF PAUL BLACKMAN
•   HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF CHAD CHRONISTER
•   INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF DERYL LOAR
•   JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF LOU ROBERTS
•   JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF MAC MCNEILL
•   LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF PEYTON GRINNELL
•   LEE COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE SCOTT
•   LEVY COUNTY BOBBY MCCALLUM
•   LIBERTY COUNTY SHERIFF EDDIE JOE WHITE
•   MADISON COUNTY SHERIFF BEN STEWART
•   MANATEE COUNTY SHERIFF RICK WELLS
•   MARION COUNTY SHERIFF BILLY WOODS
•   MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF WILLIAM SNYDER
•   MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF RICK RAMSAY
•   NASSAU COUNTY SHERIFF BILL LEEPER
•   OKALOOSA COUNTY SHERIFF LARRY ASHLEY
•   OKEECHOBEE COUNTY SHERIFF NOEL STEPHEN
•   PASCO COUNTY SHERIFF CHRIS NOCCO
•   POLK COUNTY SHERIFF GRADY JUDD
•   PUTNAM COUNTY SHERIFF GATOR DELOACH, III
•   SANTA ROSA COUNTY SHERIFF BOB JOHNSON
•   SARASOTA COUNTY SHERIFF TOM KNIGHT
•   SEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF DENNIS LEMMA
•   ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF DAVID SHOAR
•   SUMTER COUNTY SHERIFF BILL FARMER
•   SUWANNEE COUNTY SHERIFF SAM ST. JOHN
•   TAYLOR COUNTY SHERIFF WAYNE PADGETT
•   UNION COUNTY SHERIFF BRAD WHITEHEAD
•   VOLUSIA COUNTY SHERIFF MICHAEL CHITWOOD
•   WAKULLA COUNTY SHERIFF JARED MILLER
•   WALTON COUNTY SHERIFF MICHAEL ADKINSON
•   WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF KEVIN CREWS