ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick announced he is filing for a second term.
Hardwick was elected in 2020, defeating former St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Director Chris Strickland with 69% of the vote. Hardwick replaced retiring Sheriff David Shoar, who served five terms.
Prior to becoming the 28th Sheriff of St. Johns County, Hardwick served as the St. Augustine Beach Police Chief from 2013-2020, and worked at the 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, the St. Augustine Police Department, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Corrections. His military deployments include Operation Desert Storm in 1990 with the 82nd Airborne Division and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2004 with the 53rd Infantry Brigade supporting the 5th Special Forces Group.
"With my wife Kendell by my side, I officially turned in my paperwork this morning to run for re-election as St. Johns County Sheriff," Hardwick said in a press release Tuesday. "I am ready to continue my service to the citizens and visitors of St. Johns County to ensure our county is the safest place to live, work, play, raise a family, and retire," added Sheriff Hardwick. "I look forward to talking with St. Johns County residents, listening to their ideas, and sharing my vision for the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office with them."
So far, the incumbent has two Republican primary challengers in Lance Damron and Nathan Datsko, who filed on Nov. 1 and Nov. 9 respectively. On January 16, retired Lieutenant Jim Priester joined the Republican race also.