Four sheriffs from Northeast Florida counties endorsed incumbent St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick on Wednesday, July 3, for his re-election campaign.
“Sheriff Rob Hardwick has been an excellent partner protecting and serving Northeast Florida,” said Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters. “The men and women in uniform of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are working together every day to solve crimes and put the bad guys behind bars. There is no one better to serve in the capacity of sheriff for St. Johns County than Rob Hardwick. I fully endorse him for re-election and am confident the voters of St. Johns County will decidedly put him back in office on Aug. 20.”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly also shared his words of support.
“As a veteran law enforcement officer of 30 years, Sheriff Rob Hardwick knows what it takes to keep his community safe,” said Staly. “Since he took office, the relationship between the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office has only strengthened. I am confident our partnership will continue to grow as we both work to keep Northeast Florida the safest place to be. I wholeheartedly endorse Rob's re-election efforts and encourage St. Johns County voters to cast their vote for him on Aug. 20.”
As a combat veteran, chief investigator, chief of police and now sheriff for the last four years, Sheriff Rob Hardwick is uniquely qualified to continue to serve as sheriff of St. Johns County,” added Putman County Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach. “Having grown up through the ranks myself, I have a great deal of respect for him and his dedicated service to his community. I look forward to building upon the partnership between the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and serving alongside Sheriff Hardwick again. I am proud to support his re-election and urge all St. Johns County voters to vote for Sheriff Rob Hardwick on Aug. 20.”
Rounding out the endorsements, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook also offered her support.
“Sheriff Hardwick and I were both elected four years ago,” Cook said. “During that time, we have worked together to serve our communities and protect the quality of life we deserve. Criminals have told others not to commit crimes in our respective counties because we don’t tolerate crime and will hold them accountable for their actions. St. Johns County is safer due to Sheriff Hardwick’s leadership. I am proud to call Sheriff Hardwick a partner in law enforcement and endorse him for re-election.”
Hardwick expressed his gratitude for their support.
“I am truly humbled by the confidence my adjacent county sheriffs have in me to continue my service as sheriff of St. Johns County,” he said. “Since becoming sheriff, I set out to further community partnerships with our surrounding agencies. I believe we have accomplished that, and I look forward to furthering that mission for the safety and security of citizens and visitors across Northeast Florida. I will continue to work hard to earn the trust of the residents of St. Johns County and would be honored to have their vote on Aug. 20.”
Hardwick’s law enforcement career spans 30 years. He was first elected as St. Johns County sheriff in 2020 and previously served as the St. Augustine Beach chief of police from 2013 to 2020. Prior to that, he served in 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.
In addition to his law enforcement career, Hardwick is a combat veteran with 25 years of service in the U.S. Army and Florida Army National Guard.
He and wife Kendell have been married for 32 years. They have two adult sons.
Hardwick’s campaign website is votehardwick.com.
