Tim Bobanic sworn in, starts new era as latest Brevard County Supervisor of Elections
A changing of the guard took place Monday at the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Office with Tim Bobanic officially assuming the mantle from Lori Scott to oversee the administration of elections on the Space Coast.
Bobanic was sworn in at a ceremony at the government center in Viera. Bobanic, a veteran of nearly a decade of elections in Brevard, is now charged with ensuring that state-mandated election procedures are followed, and that the integrity of the process is above reproach.
Scott resigns: Brevard elections chief Lori Scott says she is resigning in surprise announcement
Not about DeSantis: Brevard elections chief Lori Scott says she is resigning in surprise announcement
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the voters of Brevard County,” Bobanic said after getting sworn in. “I can only hope to continue Lori’s legacy and conduct open, fair, transparent and accurate elections in Brevard County.”
He takes over at a precarious time when trust in the election process has been eroded because of false accusations by former President Donald J Trump and his followers that the 2020 election was stolen and that the election process has been corrupted by widespread and systematic fraud.
Bobanic assumed responsibility for the office after Scott, the county’s former supervisor, announced in a Facebook post in early September that she would be stepping down after 14 years on the job.
"It is with a heavy heart I share the bittersweet news that I submitted my letter of resignation to Governor DeSantis," Scott wrote. "After 32 years in public service, it is time to begin the next chapter of my life."
Scott was vague about her reason for resigning, denying that Gov. Ron DeSantis played a role in her decision, and saying only that, “It was time for something else for me and I feel a comfort level in leaving it in the team’s hands that’s there.”
However, DeSantis approved her recommendation for her replacement and appointed Bobanic last month to take her place.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Bobanic has worked for at the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Office for nearly a decade. Previously, he was the chief deputy in charge of information systems and election services, overseeing maintenance of the voting machines and how election equipment was deployed. He was also involved with candidate filings and registering voters.
Before joining the county, he was the director of information services at the supervisor of elections office in Hillsborough County.
For the most part, many supported Bobanic when it was announced he would be taking over as supervisor.
“I want to wish him the best,” County Commissioner John Tobia said of Bobanic, during the board report section of the county's budget meeting, which happened soon after the governor's announcement. “I know it is a tough time to come in, but I am sure he will do a great job with some big shoes to fill.”
But former District 4 commission candidate Sandra Sullivan, wanted a different choice. Sullivan, who herself applied for the position, said she would have preferred DeSantis chose someone from outside the area.
“I'm very uncomfortable with the continuation of the status quo in the supervisor of elections office, given that Lori Scott has not adequately addressed vulnerabilities by not checking whether the ballot matches the voter for the Nov. 8 election,” Sullivan said.
Upon being sworn in, Bobanic thanked his family and friends, along with Scott, and celebrated becoming the most recent elections supervisor with refreshments in the lobby. The festivities, however, will be short-lived as he and his staff must prepare for the coming general election only about a month away.
He will be managing his first election against a backdrop of political gamesmanship that took place during the primary elections just several weeks ago when some in community recruited another candidate that closed the race to Democrats and non-party-affiliated voters.
Bobanic is the one: Tim Bobanic, Scott's IT director, appointed to replace outgoing Brevard elections chief
Some conservative critics of Florida's elections are continuing to express concerns that ineligible voters are continuing to vote in elections and of rampant fraud for vote by mail. Others are concerned over the accuracy of the voting machines.
Bobanic remains undaunted.
“There’s always people who are going to question elections, but I know that Brevard has never been at the center of controversy when it comes to elections,” he said.
Bobanic plans to remain for the foreseeable future. In addition to completing Scott’s term, he has confirmed he wants to campaign to remain as supervisor for beyond that.
Ralph Chapoco is government and politics watchdog reporter. You can reach Chapoco at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @rchapoco.
Support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard County gets new Supervisor of Elections in Tim Bobanic
