Staff report
Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith joined 59 other Florida Sheriffs last week in endorsing Gov. Ron DeSantis for president. At a campaign event in Tampa last week, headlined by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, the governor emphasized his support for law enforcement during the George Floyd protests.
Smith did not attend last week’s campaign event in Tampa but said in a telephone interview that endorsing the two-term governor was an easy decision.
“He has done everything he has promised,” Smith said. “He has supported law enforcement, and I think the U.S. as a whole, from law enforcement to foreign policy, would benefit from his leadership.”
“He’s not a people person like me, but he is very focused,” Smith continued. “Not as social as I am, but a very pleasant person to be around. People are coming to Florida because of his leadership.”
Smith said the GOP primary front-runner and former president deserves credit for his accomplishments, but it is time to move on.
“Trump did everything he said he would do, but it’s time for a fresh face,” the sheriff said. “We need someone that can bring this country together, not pull people apart.”
According to the DeSantis campaign, other area sheriffs endorsing him include Brad Whitehead of Union County, Michelle Cook of Clay County, Alachua County’s Emery Gainey, and Baker County’s Scotty Rhoden.
