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ISSUES
Tough On Crime
Everett Rice earned his reputation for being tough on crime by authoring the popular "stop turning out
prisoners" ballot language that would ensure criminals spend at least 85% of their sentences behind bars.
While most Florida politicians said that it could not be done, Sheriff Rice rolled up his sleeves and
went to work.
Protecting Our Families - Defending Our Rights
Former Pinellas County Sheriff and former State Representative Everett Rice has spent the last
three decades fighting crime and defending the rights of all Floridians. As a lawman and a lawyer,
Everett Rice will use his experience and his education to keep criminals off our streets.
Protecting Our Children
As as an experienced Sheriff, lawyer and former legislator, Everett Rice is best
prepared to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Rice co-authored the Jessica Lunsford Act which creates the nation's toughest penalties for
sexual predators.
Defending Homeowners
Everett Rice is committed to protecting the rights of all Floridians. After the Supreme Court
ruling that allowed local governments to seize property and sell it for private use, Everett
began the fight to change Florida's constitution to protect our property.
* * * * * OPEN LETTER FROM EVERETT RICE * * * * *
November 2011
Dear Friends,
When I previously served as your Pinellas County Sheriff, I challenged a local ballot initiative
that limited the terms of all Pinellas County elected officials to two terms of four years per term.
I instigated a lawsuit to stop this attempt to limit the terms of the Sheriff because it was in
derogation of the independent constitutional office of Sheriff in Pinellas County. While I maintained
opposition to the county term limits law, I promised to not seek re-election after two more terms.
I kept that promise and did not run again in 2004, even though the term limits law was struck down
in 2002 by the Florida Supreme Court (just as I had predicted), and I could have easily won re-election.
Because of my efforts, today there are no term limits for any Pinellas County elected official.
I fought at great political peril to keep the office of Sheriff independent and answerable only to
the people. I kept my promise by staying out of the office for two terms. I left the Sheriff’s Office
unblemished and undefeated.
My record of professional leadership is undisputed. Every year that I served as your Sheriff, I moved
the office forward and presented balanced budgets to the County Commission. I changed the office’s prior
reputation for brutality, corruption and incompetence. I modernized the agency with new technology,
and I merged six local police agencies into the Sheriff’s office thereby saving tens of millions of
dollars in local taxes. The list of other accomplishments is too long to include here.
This past Spring, former Sheriff Jim Coats admitted that he had a plan to quit the job some day and
get his deputy appointed Sheriff by Governor Scott without an election. Because of Coats’ comments
and the ensuing uncertainty of leadership at the Sheriff’s office, many people urged me to return.
In May, I decided to seek election to return to the office.
Since beginning this campaign, hundreds of citizens have donated to my campaign, and thousands have
signed my petition to be placed on the ballot. My campaign is endorsed by State Attorney General
Pam Bondi, State Senator Dennis Jones and numerous other public figures. I am very grateful for
this outpouring of support for me to return as your Sheriff.
I need your help and would be honored to add you to my list of financial supporters.
If you have any questions after reviewing this website, please call me at (727) 365-1298, or send
me email at Everett@EverettRice.com.
Sincerely,
Everett S. Rice
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