'It All Starts with God,' Victorious Nocco Tells Supporters
The sheriff, appointed to the position about a year and a half ago, won Tuesday's election by a landslide.
The voters of Pasco County have spoken. And Sheriff Chris Nocco says their voices have been heard.
“People like that we’re tough on crime,” Nocco told the large crowd gathered at the Verizon building in New Port Richey Tuesday night.
The evening started as a night of support, but quickly turned to a victory party as results came in shortly after early results started coming in, showing the sheriff with a hefty lead over challenger Kim Bogart.
“It all starts with God,” Nocco said, thanking his supporters, volunteers, deputies, family, and especially his wife, Bridgette.
Sen. Mike Fasano told the many volunteers who campaigned for Nocco that they could take the day off tomorrow.
And the newly elected sheriff had a special message for a group of people not in attendance at Tuesday’s gathering.
“If you’re a criminal in Pasco County… you better run,” he said.
“It's an exciting victory for our agency, “ Nocco said later. “It shows our citizens stand behind us.”
The first order of business now is to get feedback from deputies and staff to find out how the agency can further improve and keep building on what’s already been accomplished, Nocco said.
Still, no matter how great tonight’s victory is, Nocco said, he won’t sleep any easier tonight just because the election is over.
“The Blackberry is always on,” Nocco said. “We have deputies still out there protecting our citizens.”
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Supporters were elated with the victory.
Retired captain Joe Frontz was “very excited,” he said.
“I don’t have a dog in the hunt anymore,” but in the 24 years he was with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, he never saw morale higher than what it has been under Nocco, he said.
"He has the enthusiasm and the creativity to lead this agency," Frontz said. "He's made a significant impact."
Campaign volunteer Rene Van Hout was asked to cut the cake, “an honor” she said brought tears to her eyes.
“Chris Nocco is not the only winner, Pasco County is. We win as one,” she said.
Van Hout said she is one of the few volunteers who is not a deputy or staff member—“one of the few with nothing to gain” personally for her efforts.
But now, she has a band of brothers, Van Hout said.
Mary Ann Hoogeveen
8:08 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
It all started with his friend Gov Scott appointed him to the postion,only in florida.
Dan Dede Jr
10:39 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
And the voters decided that he remain in office=Democracy
TBL35
11:19 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Yup. Don't mind him really, but don't like how he got the job in the first place. White ran knowing he'd retire.
I also think faith should be a private matter.
adam walling
4:34 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
we don't like to talk about that around here. Lets forget how he got there, all that matters is that we made it right the second time around.
So glad the GOP is dying as their base.....(for lack of a better description)....does the same.
The GOP is quickly becoming irrelevant, outside Pasco county anyways.
Balee
8:36 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
So sorry, Bogart. Hang in there for the next time.
Rene Van Hout
9:35 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
PASCO WAS THE REAL WINNER!!!!! THANK YOU CHRIS, FOR BRINGING HOPE AND UNITY BACK :o)
Carla Gibson
1:43 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I believe in God, but I don't trust those that bring God into POLITICS when running for office.
Politics are filthy and corrupt .. God doesn't belong there.
Kathleen
2:26 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
God belongs EVERYWHERE and was never needed anywhere as much as he is in the political arena. The Godless are taking over throughout the nation and the world. If we don't turn to God under these circumstances, when should we? Perhaps politics are "filthy and corrupt" because people like you try to lock Him out.
Now, on that note, I have much confidence Sheriff Nocco will continue to serve and protect ALL the citizens of Pasco County. There have been many signs of improvement in combating crime and increasing safety during the past 18 or so months, and I believe we will see many more with Sheriff Chris Nocco's leadership and, yes, his faith!
Lori
3:29 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Pasco County will be a better place for all of us to live with Mr. Nocco as our sheriff. He has done a lot for our community already, and looking forward to what the future brings.I think his message is loud and clear...if you're a criminal you better run! Congratulations on the victory!
adam walling
4:27 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Holy crap. So sad i moved from NY to this redneck haven of "god".
Florida is so full of fools.....seems all a candidate has to do here is say "i love "god" and hate fags" and they get the pasco vote.
Religion has NO FING PLACE in Government. Separation of Church and State was put in place for a reason. If you want a Theocracy with moral police...go to Iran.
Every time i hear a candidate make some statement about this imaginary guy "god" doing stuff for them i want to vomit. If god did it, and its his will....WHY VOTE??? Surely god does not need OUR approval if it was HIS plan right? Freaking religion makes no damn sense....keep it in your heads where it belongs and out of government
Kathleen
2:28 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
"separation of church and state" was NOT put in. If you want to go back to NY, be our guest. Only thing is, you'll find plenty of crime there without even looking for it. You'll also find God too -- without having to look too hard! Don't let the proverbial door hit you in the a** on your way out of town! God bless you and yours.
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
1:47 am on Sunday, November 11, 2012
I always want to be shown where the "Separation of Church and State" is located but I've yet to see it. Does anybody have access to that letter Thomas Jefferson wrote? You know, the one time the phrase was uttered/written by the "founders."
Lori
11:01 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I75 North will take you right back to NY if you're not happy here!
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
1:49 am on Sunday, November 11, 2012
Lori, go drive North on 1-75 and call me when you get to NY. No need to get my number because you will never arrive there with your directions. If you are going to send the damn yankee home, at least provide a correct route!
Mary Ann Hoogeveen
5:38 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Kathleen,great to see another christian spew their anger and hate.Nocco won because florida is run by the good old boys of the GOP,running the state into the ground,again,making us the laughing stock of the nation.Run along to church,pray for yourself and GOP,they are going to need all the help they can get.I guess you must think it wasn't GOD who put President Obama in office again,it must have been that pesky Devil.
Kathleen
9:19 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Mary Ann -- Spew anger & hate? Are you kidding me??? There is not a hateful bone in my body. Because I speak my feelings about what I believe - namely that God belongs in our society - you call it spewing anger and hate. I'm so sad you feel that way. Please know, as I pray for all of our misguided citizens, you will definitely be included. As for Obama being in office - well I believe he is there because God gave us all the responsibility/duty/ability to exercise our own free will. I pray for Obama as well. I will go to church to pray, but I also pray right here at home or in my car or on the streets -- God really is everywhere! I will pray you find room in your heart for Him. Christians don't require you to agree with us - but we will never agree with the works of the evil. Now, back into your happy little corner of the world where you can compose your next pontification and chastise all of us Christians.
Mike Chubre
6:05 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Sheriff Nocco seems to be interested in the prescription drug problem Pasco County has . I say "seems interested " because while he is arresting a few dealers on the streets and users , the doctors are still writing these drugs every chance they get . Sheriff Nocco , PLEASE ask your fellow republicans why they will not enforce a database that is mandatory for the doctors to use . I have been asking for this database for 7 years and was very happy when Sen Fasano got it passed after years of his fellow republicans fighting him on this . However , they would only pass the database with hugh loopholes . Not mandatory to use , not to be funded by tax payers , in the hopes the database would go away , in my opinion this is their thinking . Sheriff Nocco , to be honest , the only problem I have with you is your fellow reps are not on the same page as you ! OR ARE THEY ???? Its a no brainer that only 2% of doctors are using the database . And with that we already have seen an improvement with the drug issue . So what if it was mandatory ? Just think how much of these drugs would be off the streets of Florida . Sheriff Nocco , please explain the reasons the reps had for watering down the database ? Just like Bin Laden , do we have to wait for Obama to pass a national drug database ? Or will the reps stop protecting Big pharma and start protecting our country from this abuse?
Mike Chubre
7:01 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Carla The last time I checked, the Catholic church spent millions of dollars on their abuse cases . Not alot differant than politices !!!!
Lori
2:36 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
I believe this is a country of free speech and everyones right to have faith if that's what they choose. Sheriff Nocco happens to have his faith, as I do and shouldn't be condemned for it by sore losers. Pasco voted and our voices were heard! Congratulations Chris Nocco on your victory and your faith! You will bring our county a long way, only thing I would like to see is meetings at other clubhouses other than Beacon Woods and Beacon Square.Thanks to you, and your team for your hard work and dedication to making Pasco a better place to live.