Gualtieri Beats Rice for Republican Nod for Sheriff
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri fended off a challenge by former sheriff Everett Rice in Tuesday's primary election.
Photos
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri will be on the Republican ticket in November.
Gualtieri fended off challenger and former sheriff Everett Rice in Tuesday's primary, picking up about 57 percent of the vote to Rice's 42 percent.
All 299 precincts had reported by 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.
A technical glitch delayed precinct totals by an hour, according to Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark. Vote totals had to be delivered to the elections office in Largo to be counted.
Gualtieri celebrated his victory Tuesday evening at Bascom's Chop House in Clearwater. Rice's campaign held a private gathering in Treasure Island.
Gualtieri was appointed interim sheriff by Gov. Rick Scott in November 2011, after Jim Coats retired from the job.
He will face Democratic challenger Scott Swope and independent candidate Greg Pound in the November general election.
In another ballot showdown, Republican State Rep. Peter Nehr, representing District 65 in North Pinellas, easily held off three challengers, winning 53 percent of the vote.
To see updated election results from the Aug. 14, 2012, primary elections in Pinellas County, visit this link.
The Masked Blogger
11:02 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Congrats Bob! On to November!
InsiderMyself
1:10 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Bob cut the ONLY officer in Pinellas for Human Trafficking. Florida is number ONE in this crime. Then he puts money into Pinellas "hope" and thinks thats a good use of taxpayer dollars for LAW ENFORCEMENT. And...all the bath salt stations have Gooly signs! GO SWOPE!!! Run Rice supporters to his office! Swope's the REAL DEAL!!!
Swopeforsheriff
10:05 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Remember, it was a Republican primary between Gualtieri and Rice. The real election is in November. I have been a registered republican for the 30+ years I have been a citizen of this great county. However, I am now a RINO (republican in name only). I research my candidates before voting and Don't rely on name familiarization or party affiliation as my reason to vote for anyone, Therefore whether you are a true Republican or a RINO, I challenge you to look seriously at Scott Swope for sheriff. He was a PCSO corporal, so is not totally clueless as to how the sheriff's office works. I went to numerous forums with all the candidates running for sheriff before backing Scott. At each forum he displayedcompetence honesty, seemed to be well-versed and thinks out-of-the-box. He was rhe only candidate who answered the ISSUES and did not succumb to name calling. I as a card carrying republican am 100% behind Scott a democrat. Please put prejudices behind you and look at the individual candidate. We have for too long voted along party lines rather than taking the time to see WHO we are voting for. I am a retired sheriff's deputy with 15 years service as well as from the army with 15 years of service. GO SCOTT!!
Brynn L
10:46 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Dont know what keeps happening to my posts! What are you voters thinking!? This guy is WORTHLESS! He can't or won't do anything about the crime in Dunedin; i.e. armed home invasions, armed robberies on the downtown streets, drug activity in Dunedin as well as gang activity and so on...People snap out of it! Yes SWOPE FOR SHERIFF! Gualtieris comment when asked what he wanted in place if elected was raises for his staff! Why should they get raises? They don't do anything to help the issues in my area? He didn't even mention the citizens and their needs..ALL ABOUT HIM!
Ann McDowell
10:46 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
"Gualtieri was appointed interim sheriff by Gov. Rick Scott in November 2011, after Jim Coats retired from the job." That's all Republicans, Democrats, and Independents need to know. Then go to: www.swopeforsheriff.com and get to know Scott Swope!
Hook
12:05 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
As a registered Independent and new resident to Pinellas County, the only choices I was aware of for the Pinellas County Sheriff were Rice and Gualtieri, from all the advertisements, posters and electronic media, I've seen. Now that the Republicans have narrowed the field to 1, the choice for PCS is getting easier.
The only change I've seen in the Pinellas County crime rate since moving here is that it has been increasing. I keep getting the feeling that Rice nor Gualtieri have been able to get a grip on crime. One other thing I've noticed is that Gualtieri isn't even able to keep his own department under control.
The choices for November keep getting easier.
Brynn L
3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Hook. Your comments are absolutely correct!
InsiderMyself
1:08 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Calling all Rice supporters! Run to Swopes office! Help him. He's not a crony.
Go Swope!
Hook
1:24 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I wonder how long it will take all the primary losers to get their signs off the roadways of Pinellas County?
Brynn L
3:03 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Gonna take a loss on my home and get the hell outta here!
Maggy Mae
9:21 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Vote SWOPE. Otherwise, Pinellas County is going to continue to decline. Brynn, you're exactly right. Gualtieri cannot see the forest for the trees. Crime has increased in his tenure, and no amount of statistic juggling can continue to prove otherwise. Take a look at the Pinellas County crime viewer online. Plug in all streets you want. All the info is there. Oh, and if he wants to say crime is decreasing, it's because his deputies are so afraid to be proactive (G is a control freak and must be consulted one every move) that they simply turn their heads.
Vote SWOPE!