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Patrick Lynch Re-Elected PBA Union President In Landslide

 Police union bosses Pat Lynch, of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (C) and Sargeants Benevolent Association Ed Mullins vehemently denied that police used a chokehold during their arrest of Eric Garner.
Police union bosses Pat Lynch, of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (C) and Sargeants Benevolent Association Ed Mullins vehemently denied that police used a chokehold during their arrest of Eric Garner.
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DNAinfo/Trevor Kapp

NEW YORK CITY — Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, has been overwhelmingly re-elected to a record fifth term running the nation’s largest police union.

Lynch, who has been president for 16 years, was elected to a fifth four-year term after receiving 70 percent of votes cast by the union’s 23,000 members.

It was the first time since 2003 that Lynch faced a challenge — this time from an insurgent slate that included officers under indictment in the ticket-fixing scandal. They criticized Lynch for failing to negotiate timely contracts and turning off some of the public and elected officials with his outspoken ways.

"We are extremely gratified that our members have recognized the hard work and successes that Team Lynch has achieved on their behalf,” Lynch said.

As recently as last January, public polls showed that Lynch’s popularity had sagged after he and New York’s Finest turned their backs on Mayor Bill de Blasio after two police officers were executed in their squad cars and protesters took to the streets after the Eric Garner grand jury declined to indict an officer in his death.

But Lynch maintained that he was merely voicing the sentiment of his members when he blasted de Blasio and said the mayor had blood on his hands.

“A single tenet has and will continue to guide us as we look to the future: Do what’s in the best interest our members," Lynch said in a statement. "These results give our team a mandate to continue that work.”

Challenge Brian Fusco, a 27-year veteran, conceded the election Friday afternoon.

“This was a hard-fought race in which the members of the PBA were able to hear our positions on the critical issues facing police officers," he said.

Officer Ronald Wilson also mounted a run against Lynch.  He did not immediately comment.