05/09/2023
PRESS RELEASE - Republican and former PBSO Chief Deputy Michael Gauger files as a candidate to run for Palm Beach County Sheriff
Longtime Sheriff's Officer and former Chief Deputy Michael Gauger has filed to run for Palm Beach County Sheriff.
Gauger is challenging entrenched incumbent Ric Bradshaw (Democrat), who is seeking a sixth term.
In his decades-long career at 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 also served as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement and Corrections Operations from 2006 to 2010.
As PBSO's second in command from 2005-2021, Gauger was responsible for an annual budget of $594 million with a staff composition upwards of 3,200 employees (1,560+ sworn officers and 1,730+ non-sworn personnel), as well as a Corrections' budget of $154 million with a staff of over 700 sworn personnel.
Gauger 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.
Additional notable positions formerly held by Gauger include Director of the Wellington Boys and Girls Club, Board Member and Chair of Families First of Palm Beach County, Chairman and Board Member of the Southeast Florida Behavioral Network, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at JFK Hospital.
Passionate about lifelong learning, Gauger has continuously pursued continuing educational opportunities throughout his career. He holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s degree in social work from Barry University. He is also a graduate of the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government – Senior Executives in State and Local Government, the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, and Leadership Palm Beach County.
Gauger is the recipient of numerous community-based awards. Some of his most distinguished honors include 'Governmental Official of the Year' from the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, the 'Trailblazer Award' from the Urban League of Palm Beach County, the 'Citizen of the Year Award' from the Royal Palm Beach Rotary, and the 'Nettie Finkle Award' from the Town of Palm Beach United Way, among many others.
"I look forward to continuing my service to the people of Palm Beach County as your new Sheriff. I will draw from my decades of experience working with every department of PBSO in addressing the issues important to our residents and I will apply my extensive community involvement experience in advocating for and engaging with issues related to mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation, bringing fresh ideas and a more comprehensive approach to law enforcement," said Gauger.