Election 2024: Once colleagues, Bradshaw, Gauger now in contentious race for sheriff
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw , a Democrat and the county's longest serving sheriff, is seeking a sixth term in one of the most powerful offices in the county. His one-time top deputy, Michael Gauger , a Republican, is looking to replace him, which has added significance and plenty of extra spice for this year's election.
Before becoming Bradshaw's top aide, Gauger served as a colonel, a major and a captain at PBSO, all the while working with and under Bradshaw, who has been in law enforcement for 49 years. The men worked side by side for 16 years.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is the county's largest law-enforcement agency. It operates the jail system and provides police protection for the unincorporated areas of the county as well as for several municipalities that contract with it. With a budget of $952 million, it employs more than 4,000 people.
For the sheriff's race, all voters within the county limits are eligible to vote. The winner will serve a four-year term. There are no term limits.
In the race leading up to the election, there has been finger-pointing from both sides.
Gauger put some blame on Bradshaw and his political consultant , Rick Asnani of Cornerstone Solutions, for Gauger's opponent doing as well as he did in the Republican primary.
Both candidates have something in common: Convicted felons have contributed to their respective campaigns. Bradshaw received a donation from Lewis Stahl, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2019 for evading federal income taxes. Meanwhile, Lewis Kasman, once an integral part of New York mobster John Gotti's operation , donated money to Gauger's campaign, but Gauger refunded the money after a Palm Beach Post reporter asked him about the donation.
Gauger said he retired after a 50-year career in law enforcement because he was concerned about the way Bradshaw was running the agency.
Gauger has been criticized for walking away with a $743,000 payout. He acknowledged that it was wrong, and when he was told of the amount, he thought it was a mistake. He said he did not want to accept it but was told he had to. Attack ads have criticized him for taking the payout without explaining that he had no choice, he told The Post.
Here's a closer look at the two candidates.
Incumbent Ric Bradshaw (Democrat)
Age and residence: Bradshaw, 76, lives in West Palm Beach.
Current job: Palm Beach County sheriff.
Top campaign priorities: Bradshaw lists several accomplishments on his campaign page that include launching mental health teams to provide services to those who need it, and creating organized task forces to bring down gangs, eliminate illegal pill mills, hunt down cyber predators and lock up human traffickers. Bradshaw also noted he has employed new technology such as body cameras to improve efficiency and accountability.
Professional history: He began his local law-enforcement career in West Palm Beach. He eventually became police chief there. He was first elected county sheriff in 2004.
Political background: No previous political experience.
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree, Palm Beach Atlantic University; Master of Science degree, Lynn University. Also graduated from the Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville.
Endorsements: State Sen. Lori Berman; state Rep. Kelly Skidmore; state Rep. David Silvers; Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson; Boynton Beach Mayor Ty Penserga ; Greenacres Mayor Joel Flores; South Bay Mayor Joe Kyles; West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James; the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association ; the Florida Police Benevolent Association; the National Association of Police Organizations; the Broward County Police Benevolent Association and the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.
Finances: Bradshaw has raised nearly $900,000, and spent about half of it.
Challenger Michael Gauger (Republican)
Age and residence: Gauger, 76, lives in Wellington.
Current job: Paralegal and investigator for Searcy Denney law firm in West Palm Beach.
Top campaign priorities: Cut lavish spending on "opulent" office space, end "million-dollar" bonuses and $100,000 luxury vehicles for executives, restore successful programs that have been eliminated and "end the collusion between PBSO and the union that has resulted in the PBA being able to dictate and control their own discipline."
Professional history: PBSO from 1971 to 2021, the last 10 of which was served as the chief deputy.
Political background: No previous political experience.
Education: Master's Degree, Social Work, Barry University; Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies, Barry University; John F. Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in State & Local Government and Department of Justice Administration at Harvard University, College of the Arts and Sciences, Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville.
Endorsements: The Palm Beach Post; South Florida Sun-Sentinel; Fraternal Order of Police; former Sheriff Richard Wille; Christian Family Coalition Florida; Florida Republican Assembly; Laborers' International Union of North America; PBSO Captain Alfred "Fred" J. Mascaro (retired); and the Palm Beach County Cattlemen's Association.
Finances: Gauger has raised $205,000, and has spent nearly all of it.
How to vote in the November election
There are three ways to vote this November in Palm Beach County — by mail, ahead of time at an early voting site and on Election Day at the polling location assigned to your precinct.
To vote by mail: Make an online request that your ballot be mailed to you , or call the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections at 561-656-6200.
To vote early: Show up from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at any Palm Beach County early voting location. A full list of these can be found at votepalmbeach.gov/Voters/Early-Voting . Voters can also schedule an appointment online to avoid early voting lines.
To vote on Election Day: Find your correct precinct and voting location by visiting votepalmbeach.gov/Voters/Precinct-Finder . On Election Day, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues impacting homeowner associations. You can reach him at . Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
