Bartender challenges Chris Nocco for state senate seat

Just four days away now, and there are several races that we're following across our state. But what makes the District 21 race interesting is that it's been, it's between a 15-year-long sheriff and a 15-year-long bartender. Two different career paths there. Jordan Hensley serves up drinks in Pinellas County, and he's challenging Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nacco for state senate. Fox 13's Kylie Jones spoke with both of them ahead of election day. A longtime bartender is challenging a longtime sheriff. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nacco announced his campaign for State Senate representing District 21 earlier this year. But another candidate is also vying for the seat. This isn't Democrats versus Republicans, it's working class versus politicians. My opponent's been a politician for the last 15 years, I'm a bartender. I sit there and I hear what people are going through. I talk to my friends, my coworkers, my regulars. And I know what the problems they're going through, the same problems that I'm going through. Lacking a traditional political background is what Jordan Hensley says actually makes him qualified. Right now, he's a bartender at the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin. His opponent Sheriff Chris Naco says he's been the boots on the ground in Pasco for the last 15 plus years. Which is why his focus is on issues including mental health, insurance costs and affordability. Not only was the storm devastating, but having to Tried to get a permit, that process was even more devastating because it didn't have to be that hard because government made it more efficient. The other part too is people talked about buying a new home or getting a home. Tampa Bay Builders Association says between 20 to 25% Of a cost of a new home is because of permitting and government bureaucracy. Nacco is endorsed by Senator Ed Hooper, who currently holds the seat. His challenger, Hensley, also addressed affordability, education, and hot button issues like data centers and flock cameras. If an individual business or an individual person wants a flock camera, that's their prerogative. It is their privacy, it is their business. But the state, the county, They should not be using flock cameras. But the sheriff wants to take a different approach, arguing you can't run from technology forever. One of the things that I hope to do as a state legislator, state senator, make it a felony for anybody in government that utilizes technology for own personal gains, whether personal privately or for financial gains, it's a felony. Nacco has faced little opposition in four previous elections for sheriff. In this race for District 21, both candidates will have to win over voters in Pasco and Pinellas counties. Kylie Jones, FOX 13 News. Kylie, thank you. Now, Nacco's resignation as sheriff is effective on Election Day, November 3rd. According to Florida law, the governor will then appoint a new sheriff until voters can choose a permanent successor in the next general election.