The union that represents Nevada's highway patrol and other state-employed police officers has endorsed Dean Heller for governor.

The announcement was made at Reno motorcycle shop on Wednesday night.

The union put out a statement saying, "Dean Heller is the only candidate running for governor in 2022 who not only understands our issues, but cares enough to do something about it." The union has been in a battle with Governor Sisolak over a collective bargaining agreement for some time. In the statement, the union said, "Governor Sisolak has been the most anti-union, anti-police governor we have ever worked for."

Heller officially launched his campaign on Monday in his hometown Carson City. The former US senator joins a crowded field of Republicans vying for the job including Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo.

The Nevada Police Union represents state troopers, game wardens, park rangers, parole officers, and university police officers.