Four-term incumbent Bradshaw clear winner in the Dem primary

As far as Ric Bradshaw sees it, golf is overrated. At age 72, the four-term sheriff of Palm Beach County’s largest law enforcement agency says retirement can wait as he has more work to do. He says he is eager to finish out the campaign after handily beating his opponent in the Democratic primary Tuesday. Bradshaw now must face off against a Republican challenger in November.

Bradshaw said his victory Tuesday over challenger Alex Freeman reflects how much voters think of the men and women who put the uniform on each day.

“It’s not about Ric Bradshaw,” he said. “It’s amazing to me what they have done and what they continue to do.”

Bradshaw, who has 50 years of law enforcement experience, is considered to be the most powerful man in Palm Beach County, where he grew up. Even though he has never faced a serious threat to lose the seat he has occupied since first winning election in 2004, the money poured into his campaign is extraordinary — even by wealthy, Palm Beach County standards. To date, Bradshaw has raised $701,576 for his campaign while Freeman, a retired Riviera Beach Police major, raised $34,046.

“People vote with their wallets,” Bradshaw said. “That’s how you find out early on if people are going to vote for you.”

He said he hopes the momentum and fund-raising continues as he heads down the final stretch with the November election.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do between now and November,” he said. “We got where we are at because of who we are and what we do and how we do our job.”

The sheriff’s race used to be non partisan and any candidate who took more than 50% of the vote was the outright winner. If someone did not capture more than 50% of the vote the top two contenders had a run-off election. That’s changed.

Now Bradshaw, who ran as a Democrat will take on Republiparties can challenger Lauro Diaz in November. In the four other elections Bradshaw was the outright winner and never had to have a run-off race.

Bradshaw was thrilled by another strong vote of confidence. “It’s nice to know we have the confidence of the community. They answered the question — who is the best person to make decisions on their safety — and they gave us the answer.”

The candidate who wins in November will oversee 4,000 employees and 4,300 volunteers. The sheriff’s office has an operating budget of $620 million and serves unincorporated Palm Beach County as well as seven cities and towns.

Should Bradshaw win and remain as sheriff for the full fouryear-term, he will hold the title as longest serving sheriff in Palm Beach County. That title is currently held by Sheriff Richard Wille was who was first elected in 1976 and retired midway through his fifth term.

This is the second time Freeman has challenged Bradshaw for the position of sheriff. Four years ago Bradshaw won in a crowded race with 65.7 percent of the vote. Freeman did not respond to an email when asked if he’d give it a third shot in 2024.

Bradshaw was first elected sheriff in 2004. Prior to that he spent his career in in West Palm Beach rising to the rank of police chief before retiring to run for sheriff. Diaz, Bradshaw’s Republican opponent in November, retired from the Palm Beach Sheriff ’s Office as a captain in 2018. He has 34 years experience in law enforcement.

Bradshaw claimed his opponents are running dirty campaigns to make up for not having as much experience. He said he refuses to stoop that low.

“The other two candidates have been in the gutter from the beginning,” he said vowing to keep his head high. “We’re not going to go down there with them.”

Just as the selection of sheriff for Palm Beach County has changed when it became a partisan position, also changed are old election night traditions. Instead of going to a bar, Bradshaw held a virtual watch party Tuesday evening.

In the all previous elections, Bradshaw has held large watch

drawing hundreds at E.R. Bradley’s Saloon in downtown West Palm Beach. During his victory speech on Zoom Tuesday night, Bradshaw said it was unfortunate but understandable that he and his supporters could not be at the gather and have few drinks in celebration because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But we’ll do what we have to do,” he said. “There are no words when you get this kind of support. I’m there with you. … Let’s make it happen in November.”

Bradshaw hosted the virtual watch party in what appeared to be a bedroom. The often no nonsense Bradshaw was emotionally moved as thanked his family, campaign staff and the men and women in the Sheriff ’s Office for their support.

“Our hopes are up,” he said. “Thank you to every single person who is here tonight.”

When asked what another four year term will look like should he prevail in November, Bradshaw’s campaign director Rick Asnani said the sheriff will continue to focus on helping to keep residents and his first responders safe during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Public safety and COVID-19 response strategies are the big priorities,” said Asnani.

Other top priorities are body cameras and expanding the department’s mental health teams. Under Bradshaw there are seven mental health teams. which pair social workers with law enforcement officers. Bradshaw said he’d like to double the number of teams.

Bradshaw has bandied about the idea of body cameras for his deputies and corrections officers for the last few years. Though more recently, he appears to be willing to join and ever-growing community of law enforcement agencies that mandate bodyworn cameras on some law enforcement officers.

The current schedule for body cameras using the sales tax funds approved by county voter is for two to three years out, but Bradshaw is working with county leaders to have that funding prioritized and moved up to bring body cameras sooner.

Bradshaw