St. Johns County sheriff Rob Hardwick is seeking a second term. He defeated challenger Jim Priester in the Republican primary. While there is no Democratic candidate in the race, because a write-in candidate did qualify for the general election, the primary was only open to Republican voters.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
Rob Hardwick
Occupation: St. Johns County Sheriff
Age: 53
Family: Married to my wife Kendell for 33 years. We have 2 adult sons.
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree from Flagler College and a Master of Arts Degree from Barry University. Graduate of the FBI National Academy-Session 247, the FBI’s Florida Executive Development Seminar-Class 16 and the FBI’s National Executive Institute-Class 44, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Chief Executive Seminar-Session 48 and the National Sheriff’s Institute Leadership Course- Session 120.
Political experience: I ran for the Office of St. Johns County Sheriff for the first time in 2020 and am seeking re-election in 2024.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
As a career law enforcement officer and combat soldier, my commitment to public safety is unwavering. My primary focus is on fighting crime and reducing recidivism. We will achieve this by leveraging state-of-the-art technology to solve crimes and ensure criminals are brought to justice. Additionally, we will continue to recruit and retain the best talent in law enforcement, a practice that has already proven successful in St. Johns County.
Second, building trust within the community is vital. We aim to provide first-class customer service by maintaining transparency in our actions and holding our personnel accountable. As a former Commissioner of the Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission, I am committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability for our personnel.
Finally, long-standing generational issues contribute to crime, and we must address these through community partnerships. By collaborating with individuals and entities from diverse backgrounds, we can strengthen our outreach efforts. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has made significant strides in this area, and we will continue to enhance these efforts.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
With twenty-five years of service in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, I have developed character, integrity, and perseverance. My combat experience has honed my leadership skills and enhanced my ability to make critical decisions under pressure—a skill that is invaluable in law enforcement.
I am the only candidate with executive experience. My thirty years in law enforcement, combined with my military background, have equipped me to lead effectively. Under my leadership, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has achieved remarkable success in keeping crime low, reducing recidivism, and forming strong community partnerships.
Having served a term as Sheriff, I possess the institutional knowledge necessary to continue our progress. My administration and I aim to build on our successes by adding deputies to the streets in anticipation and response to continued county growth, utilizing advanced law enforcement technology, and fostering community policing and partnerships.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Simply put- There is no greater duty of protection than the one owed to our family and our home. St. Johns County is my home. I met my wife Kendell in high school here, got married, and raised our two boys here. I have, and will always, protect St. Johns County and our citizens like my home and family.
Campaign website: www.votehardwick.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram
A write-in candidate, Terri Schurman, also qualified for this race. A blank line for write-in candidates will be on the general election ballot.