Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is launching his re-election campaign with fundraiser later this month.
Gualtieri, 54, filed to run for a second four-year term in November.
The kickoff event begins 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Hilton Carillon, 950 Lake Carillon Drive in St. Petersburg.
In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times last year, Gualtieri said his main priority for the next term is to make sure Pinellas County’s crime rates continues to fall. As part of his platform, he’s proposing a single “real-time crime center” to share important data with deputies responding to calls. Information in the database would include criminal histories, weapon ownership, and history of mental illness.
“It’s knowledge that’s available in a myriad of databases to help law enforcement approach that call in a safer, more effective way,” Gualtieri told the Times, adding that such a network would mean investment in software and personnel.
In 2011, Gov. Rick Scott appointed Gualtieri, then chief deputy to Sheriff Jim Coats, after Coats announced his retirement. Gualtieri then won the 2012 Republican primary against former Pinellas Sheriff Everett Rice. In the general election, he easily defeated Democrat Scott Swope.
As for 2016, Gualtieri so far only faces a nominal challenge from Clearwater Republican James McLynas, who, according to the Times, has no law enforcement experience and has not raised any money since entering the race two years ago.
To RSVP for the event, call (727) 773-2221 or email [email protected].
