Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to appoint Pasco County’s next sheriff after Chris Nocco leaves the office to run for Florida Senate District 21.

Nocco, a Republican, is running in the Nov. 3 special election and plans to remain sheriff until November, Tampa Bay 28 reported. The leadership change will affect law enforcement in Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Odessa.

How Pasco fills a sheriff vacancy

Florida law says the governor fills vacancies in county offices by appointment. When more than 28 months remain in the term, the appointee serves until the first Tuesday after the next general election, under Florida Statutes section 114.04. Nocco was elected in 2024 to a term that runs through 2028; the vacancy and election schedule will determine how long an appointed sheriff serves.

The Senate race

The Senate District 21 seat opened after Republican Sen. Ed Hooper submitted his resignation to DeSantis, effective Nov. 3, citing family considerations and a desire for new leadership, Our Town Florida reported. Hooper has represented parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties since 2018 and previously served in the Florida House. The Nov. 3 special election will choose who serves the remainder of Hooper’s Senate term.

Nocco faces Jordan Hensley, a Democrat and bartender at the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin. Hensley has no prior political experience. He said he entered the race after realizing no other Democrat had stepped forward to challenge Nocco, according to Tampa Bay 28. Campaign finance records showed Nocco had raised more than $260,000, while Hensley said he had raised about $10,000, the outlet reported.

Nocco’s record and backing

Nocco was appointed sheriff by then-Gov. Rick Scott in 2011. Before joining the sheriff’s office, he worked for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio when Rubio served in the Florida House. President Donald Trump appointed Nocco to the Homeland Security Advisory Council in 2020, WUSF reported.

Nocco has endorsements from DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and several Police Benevolent Association chapters, according to Florida Politics. Senate President-designate Jim Boyd and Sen. Jay Trumbull also endorsed him, the outlet reported.

What comes next for the Sheriff’s Office

In late August, Nocco notified county commissioners he was terminating an agreement governing roughly 60 license-plate reader cameras in county rights-of-way, effective Sept. 30, Tampa Bay Beacons reported. About 110 privately owned cameras remained in operation, according to the report.