Former sheriff ousted after Parkland shooting narrowly lost primary to old job

Current Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony narrowly beat predecessor Scott Israel in a Florida Democratic primary for the sheriff’s post, in a race that was largely centered on the aftermath of a high-profile shootout in a 2018 school.

Gov. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantisDeSantis compares reopening of schools to the murder of Osama bin Laden Marlee Matlin: ‘Unfathomable’ that the White House does not have sign language interpreters during coronavirus briefings Florida Sheriff bans MPs to wear masks after refusing to enforce the PLUS order (R) dismissed Israel from the sheriff’s post in 2019 for handling the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which left 17 people dead. DeSantis asked Tony to take over as the county’s first black sheriff.

Tony released a statement declaring his victory on Tuesday night.

“Broward County Democratic voters have spoken and I am deeply honored to have chosen myself to lead the Broward Sheriff’s Office to a better and more secure future! I promise BSO will become the national model for the management of ‘a public security agency, “he said in a statement.

According to CBS Miami, Tony beat Israel 37-35% with 99% of the constituencies.

“I want people to know that I have dedicated my heart and soul to becoming a sheriff,” Israel said in a statement. “My main goal was to keep the kids out of jail. I might not be the sheriff, but I have the best family in the world and can’t wait to spend time with them.”

Tony will face Republican H. Wayne Clark in November. The Democrat is heavily favored to keep his post in the Reliable Blue Quarter.

The suspect behind the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school, Nikolas Cruz, 21, faces the death penalty if convicted.