I, too, share County Commissioner Jeff Stabins’ disappointment in the recent actions of Sheriff Nugent’s “clandestine deal” with Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite in arranging for his own congressional candidacy, but preempting other people who may have wanted to run.

Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent’s comment that “It was her seat,” and “Out of respect for her, we did it her way,” is reason enough for Sheriff Nugent to immediately withdraw his candidacy from the campaign for Brown-Waite’s vacating seat.

The congressional seat is owned by the people, and not any candidate or incumbent officeholder. For the sheriffto voice that opposite opinion clearly demonstrates his lack of how democracy is practiced in America.

Furthermore, the sheriff’s last-second filing, of paying a $10,400 fee and the congresswoman’s announcement after the deadline also indicates Sheriff Nugent’s penchant for secret deals and turning a blind eye to fairness and an equal playing field, contradictory to his law enforcement position.

Nugent’s “We need to move on,” and “Let’s talk about the issues …” demonstrates his failure to recognize his own buffoonery and that he has now become the issue of this campaign.

The sheriff never should have accepted this “deal” in the first place. He hurts his own integrity, and it reflects poorly on the people and the silent press that have stood behind him previously. If the sheriff was worth his salt, he would have urged the congresswoman to have gone public earlier.

Nugent’s actions are consistent with the way he has handled his deputy sheriff scandals, sending a clear message that law enforcement tolerates lawlessness and incompetence, and even silence when being outspoken is necessary, sometimes resulting in deadly consequences.

Sheriff Nugent has discredited his position and his law enforcement agency. He should not only resign from the congressional campaign, but from the sheriff’s position as well.

Brian P. Moore, Spring Hill, Florida