FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE ENDORSES FORMER PBSO CHIEF DEPUTY FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Gauger
561-721-5179
August 10, 2023
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Jim Fogleman Lodge 50, Inc., has endorsed longtime Sheriff's Officer and former Chief Deputy Michael Gauger for Sheriff of Palm Beach County.
Gauger, a Republican, is challenging entrenched incumbent Ric Bradshaw (Democrat), who is seeking a sixth term.
The FOP has approximately 1,400 members in Palm Beach County and more than 356,000 members nationwide.
It is extremely rare that an incumbent Sheriff would not receive the unanimous endorsement of his own deputies. The fact that the FOP endorsed Bradshaw’s opponent speaks volumes about how respected Gauger was as Chief Deputy.
In their endorsement letter, local FOP President Luis Blasco said, “Your qualifications, leadership, career achievements, and dedication to the Palm Beach County community for over four decades was a major factor in the member’s decision. We look forward to working with you in the near future.”
In his distinguished decades-long career at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Gauger earned promotions from Deputy to Detective, then Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Colonel, before being named Chief Deputy. Gauger served as PBSO’s second in command from 2005 until his retirement in 2021.
Gauger also has a long history of community involvement. He currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Programs, Inc. (CARP), a Director and Past Chair of the Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation (LEAF), and a Trustee of the South Florida Fair Board, to name just a few.
"I am humbled that the brave men and women of law enforcement would honor me with their endorsement. As Sheriff, I will do everything I can to live up to the trust they’ve placed in me and to ensure the highest quality of service to the residents of Palm Beach County,” said Gauger.
For more information about Michael Gauger, visit his campaign website at www.gaugerforsheriff.com.
Paid by Michael Gauger, Republican for Palm Beach County Sheriff.