Pasco Sheriff Nocco Heads to Tallahassee, Leaving Law Enforcement Leadership Gap

Voters in Florida Senate District 21 elected a new state lawmaker on Tuesday, selecting Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco to serve in Tallahassee. The win ends his 15-year tenure as the county’s chief law enforcement officer and forces an immediate leadership change at the Sheriff’s Office. Nocco, a Republican, will now focus on state legislative duties, leaving the day-to-day operations of the agency to an interim leader.

Unofficial results showed Nocco securing 57.66% of the vote, compared to 42.34% for his opponent, Democrat Jordan Hensley. The tally included 310 of 332 precincts across Pasco and Pinellas counties. Nocco defeated Hensley, a bartender and first-time candidate, to claim the seat previously held by Republican Ed Hooper, who announced his departure from the Legislature earlier this year.

Nocco’s political career spans multiple roles in law enforcement and government. Appointed sheriff by then-Gov. Rick Scott in 2011, he won a contested election in 2012 and faced no opposition in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Before taking the county post, he served as staff director in the Florida House and chief of staff for the Florida Highway Patrol. He also worked in law enforcement in Philadelphia, Virginia, and Broward County. During the campaign, he stated he intended to apply his law enforcement background to legislative work, addressing issues beyond public safety.

Hensley, a Port Richey resident, spent 13 years in the Tampa Bay restaurant and hospitality industry. He campaigned on affordability, housing costs, wages, and public schools, positioning himself as a voice for working-class voters. In a post-election statement, Hensley acknowledged the disparity in resources between the two candidates. “Considering my opponent outfunded me like 30 to 1, and had been planning this for years, I think my endeavor was respectable,” he said. “Obviously I'm disappointed that it didn't go my way, but not particularly surprised; it's a relatively republican district.”

With Nocco’s departure, the Sheriff’s Office is now led by Jeff Harrington. The chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit appointed Harrington, formerly Nocco’s chief of staff, as interim sheriff. The appointment took effect Tuesday and remains valid until Gov. Ron DeSantis selects a permanent replacement. Nocco’s transition marks a shift in local executive power, as he moves from overseeing county law enforcement to representing constituents in the state Senate.

Nocco identified affordability as the primary concern raised by voters during the campaign. He also cited mental health and government permitting as key priorities. He noted that the permitting process has caused frustration for residents attempting to repair or rebuild homes following hurricane damage. The district he will represent covers southwest Pasco County, including Port Richey and New Port Richey, and northern Pinellas County down to Clearwater. He will serve the remainder of Hooper’s term and is required to run again in 2028.

The election night also confirmed the re-election of two Republican House incumbents in the region. Adam Anderson, a Palm Harbor resident and financial planner, won another term in House District 57. Anderson, first elected in 2022, represents part of Pinellas County. Brad Yeager, a New Port Richey resident and automotive industry general manager, also secured re-election in House District 56. Yeager, who is a small-business owner and was first elected in 2022, represents part of Pasco County. Both lawmakers joined Nocco in celebrating his victory at Ozona Blue in Palm Harbor.

Hensley said he entered the race to offer voters a competitive choice and a different perspective. He expressed hope that the elected officials would represent their constituents fully but indicated he might run again in the future. “I hope that in the next few years I'm proven wrong and the people elected tonight represent the constituents to their fullest, and if not, I'll try again in two years,” Hensley said.