Chief Deputy Rick Wells says he will run for Manatee County sheriff

MANATEE -- Sheriff Brad Steube's second in command -- Col. Rick Wells -- has filed to run for Manatee County sheriff.

Being sheriff has always been a dream, said the son of retired Manatee Sheriff Charlie Wells.

Wells, a Republican, is the first candidate to file for the seat since Steube announced plans to retire.

"It has always been a goal of mine to serve the citizens of Manatee County as their sheriff," Wells said. "I look forward to the opportunity to run for the office."

Steube announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election and would retire at the end of his term in January 2017. Steube has held the position since April 2007 when he was appointed by former Gov. Charlie Crist after Charlie Wells retired before the end of his term.

Steube held the chief deputy position under then-Sheriff Wells.

In February, Steube appointed then-Palmetto Police Chief Rick Wells to the chief deputy position held vacant since January 2013.

The younger Wells filed paperwork declaring his candidacy for sheriff with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

"I believe that Rick and those in the command positions and those who will be promoted in the 18 months ahead, that they are going to be our future leaders," Steube said Wednesday evening.

Steube told the Bradenton Herald his decision to appoint Wells as deputy chief in February and the timing of announcing his intention to retire was part of a succession plan he has had in place since he became sheriff. Ricks Wells did not know he was part of this plan, however, Steube said.

The younger Wells had resigned when his father declared his candidacy for sheriff and went to work the Florida Highway Patrol, Steube said. When Steube became sheriff, however, he said Wells told him he wanted to return to finish his career at the sheriff's office.

With a lieutenant position available, Steube rehired the younger Wells who later confided his dream of one day being sheriff, Steube said.

Steube said he didn't know anyone else at the time with those aspirations and he had not yet decided how many more terms he'd run. He did place Wells in all three bureaus for three months each to assure he would learn their functions.

When the opportunity arose to be chief of police in Palmetto, Steube said they discussed it but he did not tell Wells his plan so as not to discourage him from the opportunity. The position of chief deputy became vacant sooner than anticipated and he chose to leave it open. Once he had the younger Wells in that position, he could better evaluate his leadership skills.

"He has every bit of the talent that we need to continue the good work of the sheriff's office," Steube said.

The sheriff also said it is has always been important to him to finish his last term, and for his chief deputy to win the seat on his own merit, not by appointment.

Former Sheriff Charlie Wells said he believes his son is up for the challenge.

"He knows that if that is what he wants to do, I will do everything I can to support him," the elder Wells said. "It excites me to a degree to think of him running, but it wouldn't excite me to run. Elections take a lot out of you."

Wells said his son has an unblemished record in law enforcement.

"I know one thing, he will give it 100 percent, like he always does," he said.

Palmetto Chief Scott Tyler welcomed the news of Wells' plan to run for sheriff. Tyler was deputy chief of police during Wells' tenure in Palmetto.

"Having worked with him and having seen him lead an agency, I think he will make an excellent sheriff for Manatee County," Tyler said. "He has my 150 percent support."

During their time working together, Tyler said he also got to know Wells as a person.

"I know it was a dream and goal of his for running and getting elected sheriff," Tyler said. "We are sorry to see Sheriff Steube go, but I am really happy for Rick that he will get this opportunity."

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Chief Deputy Rick Wells says he will run for Manatee County sheriff."