Photos: Tom Knight, Neil Rainford

The race for Sarasota County’s District 3 Commission pits two prominent local officials against one another, with County Commissioner Neil Rainford facing former Sheriff Tom Knight in an Aug, 20 Republican Primary.

Rainford was appointed to the seat last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis following the death of Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert. At the time, Knight had also applied. Rainford believes he was the more natural fit, having already served on the county planning commission, and previously winning election to the county Charter Review Board.

“Being a sheriff is way different than being a county commission,” Rainford said. “You need three votes on anything you want to do. My colleagues listen to me because of the relationships I and build and because I am well-prepared for meetings.”

Knight won three terms as Sarasota Sheriff. He chose not to pursue re-election in 2020, but spoke with Detert about running to succeed her when she retired. The law enforcement professional said doesn’t like the direction the board has moved since her death, growing the budget and doing little to properly manage growth.

“When you get a board controlled by developers, you get commissioner who really don’t know how to govern,” Knight said. “They don’t understand millage or policies, and they make decisions contradictory to what the community wants.”

Rainford disputes that and said the commission has kept tax rates and spending low. He also said he has pushed for cost-savings measures, such as urging use of a different facility for a Clerk of Courts expansion that reduced costs from $20 million to about $8 million.

Knight notes he led the Sheriff’s Office during a recession, and believes many of cost-cutting measures then are appropriate now. He opposes the opening of a new $30-million Sheriff’s Office headquarters he considers unnecessary.

Notably, current Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, Knight’s former Chief Deputy, has endorsed Rainford and cut a TV ad criticizing his old boss. That’s been just one of the notable negative ads on air waves and political mailers.

Rainford through July 12 has raised nearly $290,000 and spent more than $144,000. Knight has collected more than $224,000 and spent upward of $150,000. And outside political committees have also spent on top of that.

“It’s a little more on steroids than we anticipated,” Knight said. “The direction from my opponent and his supporters didn’t surprise us, but we were surprised how early they started and by the nastiness they have created.”

But Knight has leveled plenty of criticisms at Rainford as well, painting him as a puppet of special interests. Knight voiced opposition to plans for high-rise hotels on Siesta Key.

Rainford noted he voted against a comprehensive plan amendment on Siesta last year, but could not discuss an upcoming vote on another amendment. But he rejects the pro-development characterization, saying he follows county code when appropriate but won’t allow added development entitlements if they are inappropriate.

“Applicants will want more density or more height want to stretch those rights,” he said. “I have looked and said that’s too much, that, yes you have a property rights I will never take away as a conservative, but I won’t give you additional capacity.”

But he’s also interested in ensuring the economy continues to produce high-paying jobs, and that it has infrastructure needs met. He touted a push for more hospitals in South County and adding lanes to Lorraine Road as progress. But he also said he’s pushed for the preservation of natural treasures like Warm Mineral Springs.

Knight and Rainford compete in an Aug. 20 Republican Primary, open to only Republicans in District 3, which includes Venice and parts of North Port and Nokomis. The winner advances to face Shari Thornton, who is running without party affiliation, and a write-in candidate.

Photos: Tom Knight, Neil Rainford