JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former St. Johns County sheriff is running for Florida Senate.
David Shoar, who served as sheriff from 2005 to 2021, filed to join the race for the Senate District 7 seat on Friday, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Shoar, a Republican, will compete against Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, Republican Gerry James and Democrat George Anthony Hill for the Senate seat, the website states.
The District 7 seat is currently held by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, who was elected in 2015. His term is set to expire in 2024.
District 7 is made up of St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and parts of Volusia counties.
Before becoming sheriff of St. Johns County, Shoar served as a police officer with the St. Augustine Police Department for 10 years. He was later appointed as chief of police.
First Coast News reported in December that Shoar was pulled over with eight grams of marijuana in his vehicle after running a red light in St. Augustine Beach, according to an incident report. He was not arrested.
READ MORE: Report: St. Johns County ex-sheriff 'used' marijuana in car. Here's why he wasn't arrested
Florida's primary election is set for Aug. 20.