Caragiulo announces resignation

Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo has announced his resignation effective Nov. 18, to seek a seat on the Sarasota County Commission.

“I truly appreciate the working relationship I have enjoyed with your office and look forward to continuing that relationship through the completion of my service,” said Caragiulo in a May 25 letter that City Auditor and Clerk Pam Nadalini forwarded to Gov. Rick Scott and Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent.

Running against city resident Pete Theisen and former Sarasota County deputy and fellow Commissioner Shannon Snyder, Caragiulo recently picked up a major endorsement from Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight. County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, a downtown resident, was the first to endorse Caragiulo as his replacement.

Caragiulo has raised nearly $25,000 in his campaign so far, less a $5,000 loan to himself, while Theisen has garnered just less than $1,000 in kind or monetary contributions from supporters.

Snyder and Caragiulo have been in the majority on the City Commission in support of progressing the construction of a come-as-you-are homeless shelter, for which the County Commission has generally supported unanimously.

“I am a city person,” said Caragiulo upon announcing his candidacy to the Sarasota Observer last year. “I am an absolute, committed, dyed-in-the-wool urbanist, and I think the county is much better at recognizing the importance of the city’s infrastructure and what the city provides."