NRA-endorsed Florida sheriff targeted by media for his conservative beliefs

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman is under fire because he's a pro-gun Republican.

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman

It would be difficult to pick Florida’s most pro-gun sheriff, but Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman would definitely make the top three.

The only thing keeping him out of the #1 spot is the fact he just started his first term.

Hoffman is a life member of the National Rifle Association, as are the members of his family. He’s also a member of the Second Amendment Foundation and several other pro-gun groups.

Hoffman is an avid shooter and hunter, who built his own personal range at his home in Sarasota County.

I’ve shot with him during several charity sporting clay events. He usually beats me.

Hoffman and I have talked about guns, gun policies and the Second Amendment for hours — hours.

He gets it.

Hoffman is one of us — a real member of the gun community, not a political poser who only courts the gun vote when he’s running for office.

About the only thing we differ on is handguns. He really likes his Sig P226. Someday I hope to cure him of this penchant for 1980 technology.

Because of his support for the Second Amendment, Hoffman was endorsed by the NRA and won the election with more than 70% of the vote. He was sworn in as Sarasota County’s 11th Sheriff in January.

Recently, Hoffman has been the subject of several news stories, a column and an editorial by my former newspaper.

His crimes?

During the campaign, Hoffman posed for a picture with a QAnon supporter. He also spoke to a “fringe” conservative group.

The editorial said his decision to pose for the picture raised “serious questions about Hoffman’s judgment and professionalism as the leader of a major law enforcement agency.”

This, friends, is bunk.

A young woman Hoffman had helped with a civil matter involving her business asked him if he’d pose for a quick snapshot. He agreed. This happens all the time during political campaigns. What should he have done? Asked for her resume? Interrogated her about her political activities?

Hoffman addressed the snapshot and the editorial in a written statement:

“This was not the first time I have been in a photo with a grateful citizen, and it will not be the last. Recently, however, the newspaper allowed an editorial board to author an opinion column about that photo. I noticed, and maybe you have too, that with recent departures in senior leadership at the Herald Tribune, their reporters and “editorial board” – whoever they are – have focused on attacking conservative leaders. I respect their First Amendment rights even if they do not always practice what they preach or provide me the same courtesy, but lately, it seems more about attacking individuals than attacking problems.”

The newspaper also attacked Hoffman for speaking at groups that also “featured QAnon and other fringe organizations.”

Since that was published, I’ve been deluged by calls from other Republican politicians — current and former — who say they too have spoken to these groups. Why? Because their members are citizens and they vote. That’s what candidates do during campaigns. They attend political events and speak to groups of voters.

Hoffman, it should be pointed out, attended 400 events in 439 days.

To be clear, Hoffman has been targeted solely because he’s a pro-gun conservative.

Trust me on that. I know a thing or two about how the media treats pro-gun conservatives.

If he was a liberal, he wouldn’t have been targeted, and I wouldn’t be writing this now.

As always, thanks for your time.

Lee