Charles Thomas, the currently serving Pinellas County Tax Collector, announced that he will not be running for re-election just one day ago. His favored successor has now entered the contest. An announcement was made by Adam Ross, who is currently serving as the Executive Director of the office and was formerly an Assistant State Attorney for Pinellas and Pasco counties. Ross stated that he would run to succeed Thomas. “I am announcing my campaign today to build upon the excellent track record that Pinellas families expect from their Tax Collector,” Ross said in a statement that was written in advance. Having served as the Executive Director of the State Attorney’s office, where I was responsible for managing over $49 million in public monies and an office with over 400 people, I am confident that my experience will be beneficial to this new post.
In 2011, Ross was appointed to the position of Assistant State Attorney, and in 2015, he was hired to serve in the same capacity under the direction of Bernie McCabe, who had previously served as State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Pinellas and Pasco. During his time there, he ensured that more than sixty jury cases, including those involving capital offenses, were brought to a conclusion. On Thursday, Ross made an announcement in which he stated that the experience had provided him with significant insight into how families in Pinellas depend on the local government for all kinds of services.
2018 marked the year that Ross was elevated to the position of Executive Director of the State Attorney’s Office. While serving in that capacity, he is responsible for overseeing more than 400 people and managing the over $50 million budget of the organization. He also contributed to the development of a new case management system, which substantially improved the office’s productivity and resulted in cost savings for the taxpayers.
The members of the Republican Party in Pinellas County elected Ross to the position of Chair of the Pinellas County Republican Party in 2022. Ross is now serving in this capacity. He stated that he is now competing for the position of Tax Collector because he believes that his experience with managing budgets, managing workers, and providing public service will assist the Tax Collector’s office in continuing to fulfill its commitment to families.
