Democrat Scott Israel's hopes to become Broward's next Sheriff apparently came Tuesday night after what may be a hair-splitting win by incumbent Republican Al Lamberti in a county where Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans.
Lamberti apparently won election 51 percent to Israel's 49 percent, 324,680 to 315,023, but that could change after absentee ballots are counted or in the event of a recount.
It was a tight race for both candidates who fought to lead 6,300 personnel and handle a $700 million budget.
Israel said he hoped Broward county voters would see he had the experience and dedication to lead the Broward County Sheriff's Office better than Lamberti.
Israel served as police chief in North Bay Village for four years until he resigned this year to run for sheriff. He received the Police Chief of the Year honor in 2005 from the Miami-Dade County Police Benevolent. Israel said he is an outsider who does not owe anyone in the sheriff's office any favors.
``I am the better candidate by far,'' Democrat Israel said earlier Tuesday.
Lamberti, a Republican, was appointed Broward County Sheriff by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in September 2007 after former Sheriff Ken Jenne was indicted and eventually convicted on corruption charges.
Lamberti said he hoped his record would convince voters to elect him for a full term and they did.
"I've turned the entire department upside down in the past year," Lamberti said during the campaign.
Israel's supporters, many of them Broward Sheriff's Office deputies and Fort Lauderdale Police Officers, gathered at Himarshee Bar and Grill in Ft. Lauderdale to await election returns.
They were confident as Israel took a 5,000- vote early lead. But the smiles soon turned to looks of concern as Israel's lead slipped away and didn't bounce back.
Israel waited for the results with his family and was expected to go to Himarshee afterwards.
Joelle Parra
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