cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

Incumbent Sheriff Carmine Marceno took the Republican nomination in the race for Lee County Sheriff, easily defeating challenger Jim Leavens Tuesday evening in the primary.

Marceno earned 69.13% of the vote (57,399) while Leavens earned 30.87% (25,636).

“I am honored to be your sheriff,” Marceno said. “I couldn’t have done it without the amazing residents of Lee County and my team at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.”

Marceno will go on to the General Election where he will face Democrat Robert Neeld and non-party affiliated candidates Carmen McKinney and Michael “Coach Ray” Qualls.

“I will not let the voters down, I will put this uniform on again tomorrow and work to keep paradise safe,” Marceno said.

Marceno was appointed sheriff by former Florida Gov. Rick Scott following the retirement of former sheriff Mike Scott in 2018. Marceno said he brings 20-plus years of law enforcement service to the table. When it comes to his service in Florida, Marceno was first a part of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked in many different divisions throughout the department. With LCSO, Marceno served in the Public Services Division for a few years before Mike Scott promoted Marceno to under-sheriff. He is a 2017 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Planks of his platform included “Safe Kids Safe Schools,” holding career criminals accountable, the opioid crisis, animal abuse and cruelty and common outreach.

All results are unofficial until certified.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj