Buddy's legacy: Sheriff Dave Vincent

One final loose end before we tie a bow on the 2024 Primary.

How were the three sheriff’s candidates opposing incumbent Mike Prendergast able to meet in secret before qualifying, come to a conclusion about respective campaigns, and keep all that under wraps until the last minute to avoid Prendergast tossing in a last-second challenger to muddy the waters?

It was huge. That decision by Doug Alexander and Calvin Adams Jr. to drop out vaulted Dave Vincent’s public support, and he never looked back.

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I’ve been doing this for a few elections, folks. Never seen that before. A popular candidate withdrawing from the race to support another popular candidate? Unheard of.

It started when they were able to meet in private. 

Oh yeah, forgot to mention.

That happened at my kitchen table.

Guess I should explain.

Alexander’s March entry into the sheriff’s race really energized the anti-Prendergast movement. While Vincent and Adams were doing OK, Alexander brought a kind of community stardom that many people were looking for to topple the incumbent.

The problem became apparent right away to anyone who follows politics. With four Republicans on the Primary ballot in a winner-take-all vote, the incumbent’s going to get it with 36-38%. The focus went to Alexander and Vincent: Surely, they saw the math as well, right? How were these well-meaning people going to figure it out?

I’m not a big fan of ballot maneuvering, so you didn’t see me join the chorus that someone needed to drop out of the race. That’s not my call. That’s up to the candidate and his family.

Still, as the Just Wright Citrus blogger, I wanted to know how each saw his path to success. That led to numerous Cattle Dog chats.

One of those was with Doug.

“We need to have a grownup conversation,” I said to him one morning.

“Yes, we do,” he answered. “I’m going to talk, and you’re going to listen.”

Doug’s no dummy. He knew exactly what had taken place in just a few short months, the attraction his candidacy had brought to all three challenger’s campaigns. Voters saw true alternatives to the incumbent, who helped matters by delivering one p.r. disaster performance after another.

But he couldn’t just drop out. Doug Alexander couldn’t simply go to someone who handed him a $1,000 check, or a $5 bill, to enthusiastically support his campaign without being assured he’d done the right thing for THEM by stepping aside.

Doug is always about community and integrity. He wanted to look Dave and Calvin in the eye for direct conversation. I didn’t know his exact question, but I immediately understood the dilemma.

A ridiculous thought came to mind: Hmmm. I could invite all three to my house. They can hash out whatever they need to do, and there you go.

I know. Dumb. But I couldn’t shake the idea. I mean…I was one of the few people with no allegiance to anyone’s campaign. And I had been open with all three of them in our talks, so they knew I played no favorites.

So that’s what I did: sent the candidates an invite. The following Tuesday, I nervously welcomed the arrival of three heavy-duty vehicles without a campaign sign in sight. It felt like the FDLE had parked in my driveway.

We settled in. At my dining room table: Doug Alexander, Dave Vincent, and Calvin Adams Jr.

We really didn’t know how to proceed. Someone suggested I break the ice, so I laid out some broad idea that we’re all here together and smart heads will prevail and blah blah blah.

Then I noticed Buddy nearby. He perked up when the three came in but had resumed his afternoon routine of stretching about lazily on the floor.

“Look,” I said. “How about I just take Buddy for a walk? Give you guys time to talk among yourselves.”

I grabbed Buddy’s leash, and he was raring to go. We walked outside, closed the door, and wandered off. Returning 20 minutes later. Calvin met us at the door.

“Buddy can stay. You gotta keep outside for a little longer.”

I sat on the porch and gazed at the lake. After 10 minutes, the door opened, and they invited me back in.

“You’ll hear from Calvin,” Doug said.

And that was it. No inside scoop, no hint.

They said their goodbyes but not before I insisted on a selfie. I promised not to breathe a blog word until after the Primary.

They never let on at all. Friday of qualifying week came, and only Vincent and Prendergast had qualified. The Chamber of Commerce held a candidate forum that day, and all four were on the panel. I headed to Citrus Hills, my heart thumping, no clue what was happening.

Calvin had just announced he was dropping out. About a minute before the sheriff’s forum started, I got the word: Doug didn’t qualify, and they both were going to stand up and throw their support behind Dave.

I watched Calvin first receive huge applause, and then the room hushed as Doug — with the sheriff sitting right there in uniform — saying he also was leaving the race. And then, what a statement:

“A vote for Dave is a vote for Doug. A vote for Dave is a vote for this community.”

The place erupted. I knew right then and there that Mike Prendergast was in trouble. My guess is he knew it too. 

Both Calvin and Doug did what they promised. They not only unified behind Dave, but they also worked for him, encouraging their supporters to become Vincent supporters.

And the result: a 63% smackdown for Dave Vincent, a true message from the community.

A bonus: Remember how folks were nervous with four candidates, that Prendergast would win with 38% of the vote? Guess what? He received 37% of the vote. Instead of the remaining 63% spread among three losing opponents, it all went to one winner because two others ditched their ego for the community’s common good.

(And I love that Buddy played a prominent role. Missed him on Primary night.)

Now you know the story. In my career, it’s a keeper.

— Program note: The Just Wright Citrus staff is demanding a post-primary breather, so no blog Monday or Tuesday. I’ll be around Facebook, though. Think I’d ditch ya?

Have a great weekend, friends.

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