TAMPA — Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn his name from consideration for administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Chronister was nominated late last month by President-elect Donald Trump to serve in the post.
In a statement Tuesday, Chronister said there remains work to be done as sheriff.
"To serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime," he said. "Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration.
"There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County."
Chronister has worked for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since 1992 and became the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County in 2017. He also worked closely with Trump's choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi.
Trump initially made the announcement Saturday, saying Chronister has "received countless commendations and awards for keeping his community SAFE."
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