ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. No matter who St. Johns County voters select in the voting ending at 7 p.m. Tuesday, therell be a new sheriff on Jan. 1. St. Augustine Beach Chief of Police Rob Hardwick and former St. Johns County Sheriffs Office Director Chris Strickland -- both Republicans -- fought hard to be the next sheriff. St. Johns County Republicans are also selecting between County Commission District 1 incumbent Jimmy Johns and his primary challenger, Christian Whitehurst. Watch your votes count throughout the evening online, and live, prime-time broadcast coverage on Channel 4 at 9 p.m. including reaction from St. Johns Countys next sheriff. There were not large crowds at the 48 St. Johns County precincts on Tuesday even though turnout looked like it could near 30% -- considered good for a primary.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. On this edition of This Week in Jacksonville, St. Augustine Beach Police Chief Rob Hardwick talks about his run for St. Johns County sheriff. In addition, Chris Strickland, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, talks about his bid to be St. Johns County sheriff. And Collective Voice Partners previews two upcoming virtual forums for Duval County voters.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Video posted to Facebook by a local radio talk show host shows several contentious moments during and after a St. Johns County Sheriff’s debate on Wednesday night. The debate was held at the Shriner’s Club in St. Augustine and was among several public events planned ahead of the Republican Primary when the next St. Johns County Sheriff will be elected. In the video posted to Facebook, Sheriff Shoar appears to become angry and starts yelling at Strickland supporters. Just politics.”“I have never seen a sheriff’s race in St. Johns County conducted with such aggression disrespect and unprofessionalism coupled by a lack of self-control,” Strickland told News4Jax. Hardwick said it is a personal matter between Strickland and the Sheriff’s Office, and documents show a history of tension.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The race to replace departing St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar will be tight, according to a poll released Monday by the University of North Florida. Hardwick currently serves as the St. Augustine Beach Chief of Police while Strickland is a law enforcement veteran with 30 years of experience working with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Shoar has served as St. Johns County Sheriff since he was first elected in 2004. The poll also found that 69% of respondents said they strongly or somewhat approve — with only 19% disapproving — of the job being done by the St. Johns County Commission. “There is undoubtedly a general lack of awareness regarding the candidates for St. Johns County Commissioner and Sheriff, but it’s still early,” said Binder.