Chad Chronister (born February 2, 1964) is an American law enforcement officer who has served as the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida since 2017. In November 2024, Donald Trump named Chronister as his nominee for administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.[1]
Chad Chronister | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2017 | |
| Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration Presumptive nominee | |
| Assuming office TBD | |
| President | Donald Trump (elect) |
| Succeeding | Anne Milgram |
| Sheriff of Hillsborough County | |
| Assumed office September 30, 2017 | |
| Appointed by | Rick Scott |
| Preceded by | David Gee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 24, 1968 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Nikki DeBartolo |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | |
Early life and education
editChronister graduated from Saint Leo University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and a Master of Science in criminology. He later graduated from the 260th session of the FBI National Academy.[1]
Career
editChronister has served in the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office since 1992, beginning his career as a patrol deputy and SWAT operator. He then served as a detective for several units, including environmental enforcement, warrants, narcotics, and intelligence. Chronister was a supervisor in the Warrants, Narcotics, Intelligence, and Dignitary Protection Detail. He then became deputy commander of the Community Outreach Division, and later the colonel of the Department of Operation Support.[2]
In 2017, Chronister was appointed sheriff after the unexpected retirement of his predecessor, David Gee, who recommended him.[3] As sheriff, he is the co-chairman of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region IV Tampa Bay; vice-chairman, Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council; and vice-chairman, Hillsborough County Public Schools Oversight Committee.[2] Chronister won elections for sheriff in 2018 and 2020 and was unopposed in 2024.[3]
Elections
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chad Chronister (inc.) | 380,977 | 54.80% | ||
| Democratic | Gary Pruitt | 249,382 | 35.87% | ||
| No Party Affiliation (NPA) | Ron McMullen | 64,850 | 9.33% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chad Chronister (inc.) | 280,849 | 54.82% | ||
| Democratic | Gary Pruitt | 231,418 | 45.18% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
Personal life
editIn 2010, Chronister married Nicole "Nikki" DeBartolo, the daughter of San Francisco 49ers former owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr.[3] In 2017, Chronister's son, George, was arrested for stabbing another man in the face. In 2018, he was sentenced to 22 months in prison and 3 years probation to follow his release.[6][7][8] In April 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis reassigned a state attorney to resolve a conflict of interest in executing duties related to a motion to terminate the probation.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "Trump picks Florida sheriff Chad Chronister for DEA administrator". ABC News. 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ a b "Sheriff Chad Chronister". Florida Sheriff Association. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ a b c Tisch, Chris (2024-12-01). "Trump nominates Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister as DEA administrator". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "2020 Election Results". Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ "2018 Election Results". Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. 2019-06-05. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ "Hillsborough sheriff's son sentenced to 22 months in state prison". WTVT. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ "George Chronister sentenced to 22 months in prison in slashing case". WTSP News. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ "Hillsborough Co. sheriff's son sentenced to 22 months in prison". WFLA News. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ "Executive Order Number 22-91" (PDF). Executive Office of the Governor of Florida. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2024-12-01.