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Palm Beach County's longest-serving sheriff is seeking a sixth term. The race for Sheriff is in our Election Spotlight, with this entry focusing on the Democrat primary between incumbent Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his primary challenger Alex Freeman.
Bradshaw touts his 27 years of experience leading law enforcement agencies, including his time as Chief of Police in West Palm Beach.
"I have a record to run on. People in this community that have been here, they know my record. They know me. That's why I was elected five prior times, because they think that I'm protecting them and their family."
He says Freeman has no experience in operating a budget, but that PBSO budget is being called into question in this race.
"What Bradshaw does not have experience with is being transparent and honest with his budget. And that's something that I will be, transparent and honest with the taxpayer dollars budget."
Freeman, a former Major with the Riviera Beach Police Department, says that in his annual requests for funding, Bradshaw simply approaches county commissioners with a seemingly arbitrary figure. The incumbent says that's not the case and there are multiple meetings ahead of budget approvals.
On the experience front, Freeman spent 2021 to 2022 as the Police Chief in the Panhandle City of Midway, near Tallahassee. He says that was important to do after Bradshaw brought up the lack of agency leadership experience during the 2020 primary.
There is also a Republican primary, with Bradshaw's longtime and now former chief deputy Michael Gauger running against former PBSO Captain Lauro Diaz. Bradshaw beat Diaz in the general election four years ago.
We're reaching out to the GOP candidates for Sheriff.