He'll do anything for your vote

Wanna know why it’s so difficult for an incumbent sheriff to lose?

We’re seeing it right now.

Mike Prendergast is gleefully using the power of the badge to win votes during the campaign’s final days.

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Boy, are we dupes to fall for this.

A sheriff who thinks nothing of flipping the bird to the community for eight years is now suddenly a hero. Why? Coupla drug busts, of course.

And having a big-name politician in town to give him a boost certainly helps.

Let’s break it down.

First off, this should come as no shock. We know Prendergast is a publicity hog, and it was only a matter of time before the big guns would roll into town to press the flesh of their favorite hometown hero.

And Prendergast loves well-publicized drugs-and-weapons arrests. Nothing like a table full of guns and pills before a sea of TV news cameras to make his day.

We should know by now that Prendergast is a politician first, Citrus County citizen second. Every move has a purpose. That purpose is to get enough votes to win the election. Period. If you think otherwise, welcome to the big leagues. 

I hate to say I told you so…but I told you so. We knew his push would be drugs, arrests, and big-name politicians at his side. And, on Election Eve, his push is drugs, arrests, and big-name politicians at his side.

The perfect Prendergast voter sees these bells and whistles — and that’s all he/she sees. The targeted Prendergast voter has little interest in community ideals, people working together for a common goal, that kind of thing. 

Interesting that comments on the agency’s official Facebook page regarding last week’s arrests had little to do with the arrests themselves. Most of the debate centered around whether these arrests were publicity stunts or actual police work.

They’re both. The men and women who work for Prendergast are law enforcement professionals who keep our community safe. He’s the one who exposes their fine work to public ridicule by grandstanding.

Speaking of that, gotta love his latest mail piece. I’m sure you saw it. The one with the play on words — “Trump Card Endorsements” — and there we see photos of Gov. Ron DeSantis as the King of Hearts, Attorney General Ashley Moody as Queen, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis as the Jack of Hearts.

Right off the bat, we’re going to notice the “Trump” card endorsements. This is his sly way of getting back into the graces of the Citrus County Donald Trump crowd. Good luck with that. I’ve learned that Trumpers never forget, and they rarely forgive. 

It’s not a shock that an incumbent sheriff with ties to Tallahassee would have the governor’s endorsement. And Moody showing up for the pill-mill press conference — timely, wouldn’t you say? Let’s not be deceived. DeSantis, Moody — all those big-name politicians want one of their own to win. Prendergast is part of their crowd, not ours.

So, how’s it shaking out?

Early voting ended Saturday with 23,980 votes cast, a 20.5% voter turnout so far. I’ve long believed that early votes take up half the total turnout, but the last two Primary elections show I’m way off. Four years ago, early votes accounted for a whopping 73% of the final tally. Two years ago, it was closer to 65% voting early.

With Primary total voter turnout usually in the 35% range, that means a good chunk of folks voted in the last 10 days.

Guess who else knows these numbers? Prendergast and his team. Kinda coincidental that the attorney general is in town to pump up a big arrest and it JUST HAPPENS to occur during early voting. Again, he’s taking us for chumps.

As elections go, this one is a true decision. Dave Vincent is talking about community. His supporters are enthusiastic and eager. They see a bright future. Prendergast’s campaign is one of deception and false bravado. As is his leadership style.

Not very often do elections come down to such diverse candidates. Choices are very clear.

Voters, take your pick.

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