County Commissioner Tobia running for Brevard supervisor of elections in 2024
County Commissioner John Tobia has filed paperwork to run for Brevard County supervisor of elections in 2024.
He is the first official candidate for the job in Brevard ― in what has become a much-sought-after position around the country since former President Donald Trump falsely accused the 2020 elections of having been stolen.
Tobia, a Republican who lives in Palm Bay, is in the middle of his second four-year term as county commissioner. Tobia's term ends in 2024, and he could not seek reelection as a commissioner because of term limits.
The current Brevard supervisor of elections is Tim Bobanic, who was appointed to the post in September by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, succeeding Republican Lori Scott, who had announced plans that month to resign after nearly 14 years in that position.
Governor's appointment:Tim Bobanic, Scott's IT director, appointed to replace outgoing Brevard elections chief
Bobanic, a Republican who lives in Melbourne, also plans to seek the seat in 2024, although he has not filed the candidate paperwork yet.
Tobia was elected to the County Commission in 2016 and was reelected in 2020. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2016.
Before his appointment as supervisor of elections by DeSantis, Bobanic had been Scott's director of information technology and election services.
Lori Scott's resignation:Brevard elections chief Lori Scott says she is resigning in surprise announcement
Scott recommended Bobanic for the supervisor of elections position in her Sept. 2 resignation letter to the governor. Bobanic's appointment took effect Oct. 1.
Scott provided no insight as to why she stepped down, but supervisor of elections' work has come under greater scrutiny by many since Trump claimed that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was stolen, despite a lack of evidence. Nonetheless, millions of Americans have believed him, focusing their anger on local supervisors.
Under the Florida Constitution, the governor may appoint a replacement for any state or county elected office if an official resigns less than 28 months before the end of their term.
Tobia said he had been interested in the past in the supervisor of elections position.
"It's something I've certainly considered, but I had no intention to run against Lori Scott," Tobia said.
Tobia said he did not apply for the position with the governor's office after Scott announced her plan to resign.
Tobia said, if he is elected supervisor of elections, "I will be inclusive, transparent and equitable, while abiding by Florida law and maintaining core fiscal conservative values."
Bobanic said he plans to file his candidate paperwork for the position early in 2023.
The filing allows candidates to begin raising money for their campaigns and, if they choose, to gather signatures on petitions that can enable them to avoid paying a qualifying fee.
In discussing his candidacy, Bobanic said: "The track record of our office speaks for itself. We had an excellent 2022 general election, and I hope to continue this path here."
Bobanic has worked for the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Office since February 2013. Before that, he was director of information services for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office from April 2009 to February 2013.
Bobanic said he was not surprised by Tobia's candidacy, and expects more candidates could file for the position.
"That's what's great about the electoral process," Bobanic said. "Anybody can run for office."
If both Tobia and Bobanic run as Republicans, they would face one another in a GOP primary on Aug. 20, 2024.
The supervisor of elections position pays $174,011 a year.
County commissioners are paid $58,145.36 a year.
Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or [email protected], on Twitter at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tobia makes move to be Brevard supervisor of elections in 2024
