Pasco Sheriff | Republican primary

Winner: Bob White

Bob White is trying to become the first sheriff in 46 years elected to a third term. He is challenged by Robert Sullivan, a former employee who retired last fall. Although Sullivan has enlivened the race by spotlighting some controversial policies, White leads in fundraising and political backing.

	Robert Sullivan, 46	Bob White, 58
Experience	He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1982 and rose through the ranks, retiring last November as head of the agency’s vice and narcotics unit. He is now an instructor of law enforcement courses at the University of North Florida and Pasco-Hernando Community College.	Before his election in 2000, he was a sergeant in the Clearwater office of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Earlier he worked for the Brooksville Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol.
Why he is the best candidate in a crowded field	“I’ve been through five different sheriffs. There’s been incredible learning experiences through all of them. I’ve seen the good and I’ve seen the bad. I’ve come up through the ranks. I’m an academic as well as a practitioner. I’ve studied this.” “I’m passionate about public safety. I’m passionate about what the job of a chief law enforcement officer is ... to improve your quality of life.”	“I think we’ve done a good job, and I think we need a third-term sheriff here.” Longtime deputies lose hope and citizens lose service, he said, when a new boss comes in every four or eight years. “We need some continuity of control over the long haul to help us get the resources that we need in place so we can continue to provide a better service.”
First priority if elected	“Evaluate each and every position, and any position that does not directly enhance the crime-fighting mission will be modified and redeployed to where it will.” The same goes, he said, for specialized units like vice and narcotics and traffic.	“We have a system and it’s working well. We just need to improve on that and enhance it.”
How he will combat crime with a shrinking budget	“I firmly believe that in my first year I can reallocate 50 people into crime-fighting missions that are not in crime-fighting missions today.” Acknowledging the agency does not have enough patrol deputies, he said, “I think we can get more bang from what we’ve got.” He plans to use money from asset seizures to purchase real-time, crime-tracking software to make commanders aware of what’s happening in their districts.	He’s already doing it, he said. “I’m the CEO of the Southwest Airlines of law enforcement. Have you ever seen a better operation in this county? We are the low-cost leader.” Anticipating a lean year in 2008-09, White has cut more than $1-million from the current budget by leaving jobs open and limiting overtime and holiday pay. The Sheriff’s Office is also saving on fuel by eliminating the personal-use privileges of agency cars.
Assets	House, boat, savings account, money market.	House, bank accounts, lot in North Carolina.
Liabilities	Mortgage, credit union loans.	Bank loan, auto and motorcycle loans.
Net worth	$185,660	$536,014
Source of income	Sheriff’s Office retirement, teaching income	Sheriff’s salary, investment income
Personal	He and his wife, Bonnie, married in 1987. They have two daughters, 14 and 5.	He has been married to his wife, Diane, since 1989 and has a grown daughter.
Web site	Yes	Yes
E-mail	Yes	Yes