In what could be one of this year’s highest-profile legislative primary elections, former St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar has opened a campaign account to run for a seat that will be vacated by term-limited Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine.
Shoar, a Republican, opened the account Friday, according to the state Division of Elections website. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, is also running for the Senate District 7 seat and has gained support from Republican leaders, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and incoming Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula.
The district is made up of St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and part of Volusia counties. Shoar was first elected St. Johns County sheriff in 2004 and served until 2020.
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According to the firm’s website, he joined the law firm Woolsey Morcom in 2023 as director of investigations. Candidates will formally qualify for legislative races this week.
Other candidates with open accounts in Senate District 7 are Republican Gerry James, Democrat George Anthony Hill II, and unaffiliated candidate Michael Levone Gist.
Primary elections will be held on Aug. 20. The online site Florida’s Voice first reported Shoar’s candidacy last week.
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