The Sheriff’s War for Broward: Tony’s Real Target…
By Aaron Nevins
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 dias, 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.
Aaron Nevins is the founder of Chelsea Road Consulting (chelsea-road.com) in Fort Lauderdale, where he has guided campaigns for large and small companies, and political organizations at all levels of government. With more than 20 years in South Florida politics, he is recognized for expertise in public affairs, advocacy, and political strategy.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of REDBROWARD, its journalists, or its sponsors. We welcome opposing points of view.
This POS is so damn corrupt, it’s hard to believe he’s still in office, much less not in prison. Broward citizens really screwed up with this one. Talk about low information voters.
Greg Tony: A Sheriff Built on Spin, Not Substance
Greg Tony has always claimed to be an expert in everything he touches. But unlike real police practitioners such as Bill Bratton or Ray Kelly, Tony’s record is thin. His only real expertise is spending money — not leading a professional law enforcement agency.
The truth is, Tony’s rise had little to do with talent or merit. It was the product of political forces at work. He was elevated into power for convenience, not because of proven ability. But those same forces have now shifted course, and it’s clear Tony is no longer part of their future plans.
His past speaks for itself: a concealed criminal history, documented lies on official forms, and a string of ethical clouds that hang over his tenure. Tony has failed at every meaningful test of leadership. What’s left is a man who talks tough but folds when confronted — as he did after clashing with the President on immigration. That misstep revealed the obvious: it’s a political mistake to cross paths with the President, and Tony is not strong enough to survive it.
Some suggest he could consolidate power and even try to take control of the Broward Democratic Party. That’s fantasy. By January 2027, with a new governor and a new sheriff, Tony will be history. His short-lived rise was built on smoke, spin, and borrowed power. And in Broward County, that kind of house never stands for long.
Russell J. Di Perna
Ton(e)y has Absolutly destroyed BSO! If they can come back it will take years and someone with vision in that seat.
I didn’t think it was possible to be more biased than the Sun Sentinel & their poor excuse of an editor, Steve Bousquet, but you are proving me wrong. If you had been following the story you would know that BSO has significantly lowered their original contract position & the two sides are less than 1% apart. Tony’s poll was in direct response to Deerfield Beach’s bias poll with questions written by the city’s Public Relations Director, Rebecca Medina. Try some journalistic integrity – you may like it.
Newsflash, loser: When you’ve been blown out in your election by a dozen points, you don’t get to lecture on politics. You just get to sit in the corner and watch the big boys play.
You’re sniveling about “journalistic integrity” while tongue-bathing the sheriff’s boots, hoping he’ll throw you a bone. Pathetic
🤭
Pick up your phone………..Todd’s calling you.
You do realize, don’t you, that Tom did not write this column, right? Right?