Craig Latimer files for re-election as Hillsborough County elections supervisor

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer announced on Monday that he has filed papers to run for re-election in 2016.

August 3, 2015: Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer declared his intention to run for re-election in 2016, filing required paperwork to establish his candidacy.

Latimer, 62, served for 35 years in law enforcement before working at the SOE’s office. He retired as a major in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 to manage the late Phyllis Busansky’s election campaign against Republican incumbent Buddy Johnson.

Busansky won, and hired Latimer to serve as her chief of staff. Tragically, she died in June of 2009. Then GOP Gov. Charlie Crist selected Earl Lennard to replace Busansky. Lennard opted to keep Latimer on as his chief of staff. Lennard won election on his own in 2010, but announced in 2011 he would not run for re-election, prompting Latimer to announce his candidacy.

Latimer defeated former County Commissioner Thomas Scott in the Democratic primary in 2012, before defeating former state legislator Rich Glorioso in the fall of 2012. He’s received mostly positive reviews since being in office. Last year, he achieved certification as an elections expert from the national Elections Center.

“I am honored to serve as Supervisor of Elections for Hillsborough County, and I am proud of my record of accomplishment,” Latimer said in a statement.  “I am especially proud to be the only Supervisor of Elections in the state of Florida whose office received the prestigious Governor’s Sterling Award for performance excellence.”

As of this time, no Republican has announced to run against Latimer next year.