I don't like Swope because he is a Democrat, I am a Republican, Gualtieri and Rice don't stand for what the people want in Pinellas County. We as a people have been to divided for to long when it comes to the position of Sheriff. Party should not apply to a position like this because I want my Sheriff to be unfettered when arresting anyone. Swope is worthy of the badge and saying otherwise is just politics. In fact Swope is not a politician which these days in my book ranks him much higher than someone appointed by Tricky Ricky Scott!

Harvey, as someone who has hosted these debates in the past, I find it saddening to see you editorializing about my husband without first talking with him. You know as well as anyone that Scott is in favor of getting raises to the deputies, he has been saying that all along, while Gualtieri initially claimed their was no money. The timing of the bonus and the endorsement from the PBA was brought up by the Times to us, not the other way around. Please understand Scott is a man of integrity. He is hardly "taking a swipe" at anything. He is presenting the facts. And as far as "far less qualified to wear the star", we'll see in November. Don't underestimate my husband.

Scott Swope has NOT questioned the fact that deputies and staff at the PCSO deserve a raise. Swope questioned the timing of the bonus that came the same day that the Suncoast PBA , the union which represents the deputies, issued its endorsement of Gualtieri without allowing Swope an opportunity to present himself for consideration, and he questioned the timing of the bonus because it will be delivered into the paychecks of deputies and PCSO staff one week before mail-in ballots are sent to voters.

As a Republican and former Rice volunteer, I felt the need to cross the party line to support the Democratic candidate for sheriff Scott Swope. I did this for 2 reasons (1) party lines should not even go into play when you are talking about the sheriff race. Political party views have nothing to do in this situation. And (2) because I feel that Swope has quality, integrity and leadership skills to run Pinellas county's sheriff office.
This is in NO WAY an act of retaliation against the other candidate it is just that Rice supporters felt the same as Everett Rice did--that the sheriff office is broken under the current interim sheriff will only continue to worsen. I do hope that all Rice supporters remember what Everett spoke about frequently. About the mis-management currently at the Pinellas County Sheriff office and forget about party lines in this election for sheriff. I call out to all Democrats and Republicans of Pinellas county to vote for someone that will get the sheriff's office back on track and bring integrity into it's office --- SCOTT SWOPE FOR SHERIFF !
For more info on Scott Swope go to www.swopeforsheriff.com

I have been to numerous forums because I like to hear for myself what each candidate has to say in his own words. I have issues with Mr. Harvey Smith’s ‘opinion piece’. One of the qualifications for the Pinellas County Sheriff race should be on ISSUES. Sheriff Gualtieri tells us that he will continue to “keep Pinellas county residents safe”. What will he do that is different from what he has been doing for the last few years? News flash: it’s not working. Sheriff Gualtieri tells us that he has, “Cut millions of dollars in the budget” and “hundreds of jobs.” He appears to take pride in this fact. Is he so out of touch that he doesn’t comprehend that behind each job he has cut there is a ‘family’ who has been adversely affected?

The third paragraph was not worthy of the Patch to publish. It was very childish. As far as I know, the Democrats have not adopted Swope as their poster boy. He is certainly not a politician! He is a concerned citizen who happens to be a Democrat running for Sheriff. After listening to all of the candidates over the course of the last few months, my vote is for Swope!

The Sheriff’s race is one instance where voters should cross party lines to vote for the best candidate. The primary has been difficult for many PCSO deputies who served Pinellas County. Many of us feel that the current leadership is not a good fit for the Agency or its staff.
When Everett Rice announced that he had been asked to return to fix the problems in this agency, many of us jumped at the chance to support his candidacy. Although he was not successful, the same leadership issues remain. Bob Gualtieri is not qualified to be Sheriff.
Many of us who attended candidate forums and were loyal to Everett were very impressed with Scott Swope. We noted by his articulate responses to questions, his command of the problems, his thoughtful analysis, and the solutions he offered. Rice volunteers are supporting Scott Swope because he is the best man for the job; not because we are the "disenchanted ‘poor-loser’ Rice crew". We have chosen to follow our conscience and support a change of leadership at the PCSO.
When Bob tells you he did an internal survey and that 83% of his deputies think things in the PCSO are just fine; he neglects to tell you that only 32% of the PCSO staff responded to that survey. Morale is at an all time low! Scott Swope is the leader we need to bring integrity and common sense back to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. I urge Republicans, like me, as well as Democrats and Independents to Vote for Swope!