County elections: Who is running in the primaries and who has already been re-elected

Mike Diamond, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·3 min read

Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks and Tax Collector Anne Gannon, unopposed in the August primary as well as in the general November election, will each serve another four years.

The deadline for candidates to file petitions with the county Supervisor of Elections was June 14. Under Florida law, because no candidates filed, neither a primary or general election will be held for those offices. Marino is a Republican; Gannon, a Democrat.

Four years ago, it was a much different story for Marino as Karen Marcus, a county commissioner for more than 20 years, tried to retake the District 1 seat. She and Marino were involved in a contentious Republican primary that Marino ultimately won.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino (left) and Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon (right)
Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino (left) and Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon (right)

The two spent nearly a combined $500,000 on that election. A former professional golfer on the LPGA Tour, Marino was first elected to the Palm Beach Gardens City Council in 2016. The District 1 seat includes much of northern Palm Beach County.

Districts 3 and 5: No opponents in primary, but opposition in November

District 3 Commissioner Michael Barnett and District 5 Commissioner Maria Sachs will have no opponents in the August primary but will have opposition in November.

Michael Barnett sits as the newest commissioner after his swearing in ceremony at the Palm Beach County Commission chambers in West Palm Beach, Fla., on January 10, 2022. Barnett was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Michael Barnett sits as the newest commissioner after his swearing in ceremony at the Palm Beach County Commission chambers in West Palm Beach, Fla., on January 10, 2022. Barnett was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Barnett, a Republican, has raised $111,345, according to campaign finance reports filed as of June 20. Barnett will face off against Joel Flores, a Democrat and former mayor of Greenacres. Flores has raised $99,885. District 3 includes much of central Palm Beach County west of Interstate 95.

Mayor Maria Sachs listens to public comments at the Palm Beach County Commission meeting in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla. on January 25, 2024.
Mayor Maria Sachs listens to public comments at the Palm Beach County Commission meeting in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla. on January 25, 2024.

Sachs, a Democrat and currently the mayor of the county commission, will be running against Republican John Fischer. Sachs has raised $104,930; Fischer, $27,234. The District 5 seat includes must of south county west of Military Trail.

District 7: Mack Bernard is term-limited; Bobby Powell faces Richard Ryles in an August primary

District 7 will have both a primary and a November election contest. The seat is currently held by Mack Bernard, who is term-limited and cannot seek another term.

Florida state Sen. Bobby Powell Jr.
Florida state Sen. Bobby Powell Jr.

Former State Sen. Bobby Powell Jr. is running against Richard Ryles for the right to become the Democratic nominee in November. Powell has raised $173,686, Ryles, $165,333. Leonard Serratore will be the Republican nominee. There are two write-in candidates, Boaz Fleurena of Boynton Beach, and Javonta Jerome Taylor of Riviera Beach.

Attorney Richard Ryles of the Democratic Black Caucus of Palm Beach County speaks during a press conference About Protecting the Black Vote at the Ryles Firm law office on October 15, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (GREG LOVETT / The Palm Beach Post)
Attorney Richard Ryles of the Democratic Black Caucus of Palm Beach County speaks during a press conference About Protecting the Black Vote at the Ryles Firm law office on October 15, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (GREG LOVETT / The Palm Beach Post)

District 7 includes Riviera Beach, Palm Beach, Lantana, Hypoluxo and parts of Delray Beach.

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Sheriff: Ric Bradshaw will face competition in primary

During a press conference at the Sheriff's office substation on Community Drive, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw discusses the department’s new body cameras that have the ability to livestream incidents between sheriff’s deputies and the public, February 16, 2023.
During a press conference at the Sheriff's office substation on Community Drive, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw discusses the department’s new body cameras that have the ability to livestream incidents between sheriff’s deputies and the public, February 16, 2023.

Ric Bradshaw, the county's longest serving sheriff, is facing off against Alex Freeman in the August Democratic primary, Bradshaw has a huge fundraising advantage, $683,537 to $33,885. On the Republican side, Bradshaw's one-time top deputy, Michael Gauger, will be competing against Lauro Diaz, to represent the GOP in the November general election. Gauger has raised $152,400; Diaz, $37,503.

Alex Freeman, who is running against Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, is a former Riviera Beach police major.
Alex Freeman, who is running against Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, is a former Riviera Beach police major.

Bradshaw, 76, is already the longest-serving sheriff in Palm Beach County history. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office employs 4,300 people and oversees about 1,500 volunteers.

Clerk and Supervisor of Elections: No August primary, but a November election

Clerk Joseph Abruzzo and Supervisor of Elections Wendy Link will not have to run in the August primary but will have opposition in the general election. Abruzzo and Link are both Democrats. Abruzzo’s opponent in November will be Samuel Thompson and Link’s Republican opponent will be Jeff Buongiorno. Both are Republicans.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: County Commissioner Maria Marino, Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks and Tax Collector Anne Gannon all re-elected