Charter Review Board District 3: Tom DeSane

Age: 60

Current occupation: Retired police officer. Part-time security supervisor.

Resident of Sarasota County: Eight years

Why are you running for election?

I was appointed Aug. 21, 2023, by Gov. DeSantis to fill a vacancy when David Samuel resigned. I would like to continue working on behalf of our citizens. 

What qualifies you to be a Charter Review Board member?

I submitted a thorough application to the governor’s appointment office and was fully vetted. I have been an active member of the board, participating in all meetings since my appointment and a number of committee meetings.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?

I feel my experience as an incumbent on the board and my years as a public servant make me a better candidate. I was a police officer for 31 years in New York. This service included being a first responder in the days following the attack on 9/11/01 in NYC. 

I am also the founder and president of the Blue Line Club, a local organization of more than 200 retired first responders. 

I was instrumental in the passage of State Law HB 437 of 2023. With the help of Rep. James Buchanan and Sen. Joe Gruters, we amended the law to benefit all first responders throughout the state by affirming their right to fly First Responder Memorial Flags, regardless of HOA restrictions. The bill passed without a single no vote in either house and was signed by our governor. 

I am endorsed by Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, the International Union of Police Associations, the International Fire Fighters Association and the Sarasota Young Republicans.

What, if anything, is wrong with the current charter? 

I don’t believe that there are any glaring problems with our charter. If a citizen or our board recommends a change that is necessary, I will do my due diligence and support that change, which will then be decided by our citizens, as it should be. 

I am currently a member of a committee to study updating our board bylaws. I will treat that task the same way.

What needs to be updated or changed in the county charter? Why?

Again, our Charter is a very important document for our county. Like our country’s constitution, it should be a very deliberative process to amend it. It should not be frequently amended because of personal or political agendas. Also, changes to the charter cannot conflict with state law.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term? 

1. Protect our charter. 
2. Serve our citizens. This means listening to their concerns and carefully considering their recommendations. 
3. Serve as a careful and considerate voice for the citizens of Sarasota County. Keep the charter functioning as it was originally intended to. 

Foundational documents like our charter and our constitution should not be changed without serious consideration of the possible changes. This is why there is a long deliberative process to do so. 

Decisions should not be made based on a personal or political agendas. Whatever we decide, the people have the ultimate say on their ballot, as it should be.

Where do you stand: Should the Charter Review Board be proactive initiating changes to the charter, or should the board make recommendations based on voter desires and ideas brought to the board?

We should be very conservative in our actions. We should always take our voters desires very seriously. We work for them.

DeSane responds to Coler

• Regarding the charge that I “only vote the way the chairman votes,” when and where did I say this? I never said this to anyone. It’s a ridiculous claim. … Let me be clear. I vote my conscience after carefully considering each vote.
• Coler claims I have “lied to the public by publicly stating” that I have “been in this position for the past year and a half, but he was appointed less than 10 months ago.” 

I never stated that to anyone. I proudly state that I was appointed by Gov. DeSantis “last August” or “last year.”

On my candidate profile on the Supervisor of Elections website, I put the exact date, Aug. 21, 2023. 

• Coler claims I have “also misled” constituents “by stating ‘Re-Elect Tom DeSane’; he was never elected, he was appointed!” 

I have not misled anyone. Florida statute clearly allows incumbents to use the word “Re-Elect” in their campaign. This is also found in the Candidates Handbook, which is provided to candidates by the supervisor of elections. 

My opponent has been repeating these false accusations since May. I have chosen not to respond until a proper venue was available. Thank you for providing that venue.

I will continue to connect with voters face to face, look them in the eyes and let them judge me.