Broward News & Opinion

Sheriff Gregory Tony is no longer satisfied as sheriff. He is moving to become the de facto head of the Broward Democratic Party.

But he's not looking to occupy the chair down at headquarters. If he bends city commissioners into signing the contracts he demands, he will rule Broward politics outright without having to schmooze a single precinct committeeman.

The sheriff and the contract cities where he serves as the police are currently roiled in what seems to be a basic contract dispute. Sheriff Tony is demanding increases that far exceed the 5 percent cap written into city contracts. In Deerfield Beach alone, BSO has asked for about 10 percent more for law enforcement and nearly 9.5 percent for fire rescue.

Tony says the hikes are necessary to keep deputies and firefighters paid competitively and maintain public safety. City officials call it a breach of the deal and a shell game that forces them to pay double.

But its not really about budgets. It is not about salary studies or police pensions. It's not about whether you pay a few bucks more on your tax bill or get 'better service' from the police or the sheriff. Most of us hope to never need their services.

It is about power. Plain and simple.

Deerfield Beach. Pompano Beach. West Park. These commissions are not just haggling over line items. They are fighting for their independence. Tony wants them broken. He wants them to sign his deals and admit who holds the whip hand.

The method is simple… Threats and pressure. Sign or face the consequences.

In Deerfield Beach he went on YouTube claiming he has polling numbers showing overwhelming support for his positions. After voters were "educated" (ie push polled) about the issues, he claims that number rose to 75%.

He waived those polling numbers, looked right into the camera, and vowed that he will fight the Deerfield Commission… and any other elected official who defied him through the 2026 and 2028 elections! He promised to finance candidates who will do his bidding. That is naked political extortion, delivered straight to the phone of every Democrat elected official in Broward County.

West Park commissioners caved shortly after the video was released. After weeks of hand-wrangling, they got spooked enough to fall in line and give Tony a public victory he quickly framed as proof that resistance is futile.

The Broward Democratic Party is fractured and weak. No one has commanded total authority since Mitch Caesar stepped down. Chairs come and go. Factions squabble.

Tony sees the vacuum. If he wins these contract wars he does not need to sit in the party office. He becomes the power every commissioner fears. When they cast their votes on the dais, they will be thinking of the sheriff.

Cities that resist face disruption and the wrath of the sheriff in their elections. Cities that cave get temporary peace but permanent dependence. The party chair won't save them. The committeemen won't save them. Tony will be wearing the crown.

This is the opening round.

The fight will stretch to 2026 and decide who really runs Broward. If Tony breaks these commissions, he becomes the boss. If they stand and fight, they can cut him down to size.

The sheriff has declared war.

The question is whether Broward's mayors and commissioners have the stomach to fight back.