Local Government Candidate Profile: Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller: R.B. "Chips" Shore

Chips Shore has served the citizens of Manatee County as Clerk or the Circuit Court and Comptroller since first winning the office in 1976. A highly-decorated public official who has been recognized as one of the top in his field, Shore faces only write-in competition on November's ballot. 

In 1972, Shore was selected as City Clerk and treasure for Bradenton, Florida. In 1976, the citizens of Manatee County elected him as Clerk of the Circuit Court and Chief Financial Officer and he has served proudly ever since taking office in 1977. Shore graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance. He has also participated in post-graduate studies at Stetson University College of Law; New York University Institute of Finance; Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University; and Florida Atlantic University, Institute for Municipal Finance Officers professional study.

Mr. Shore has also served as Past President for the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers; Member of State Treasurer's Advisory Task Force for 1984, 1986, 1987; Past President of the Florida Family Support Council; Supreme Court of Florida's Trial Courts Technology Committee, Manatee County Historical Commission; Chair of Florida State Public Access and Electronic Filling Committee; and Florida Counties Investment Trust. He also served on the board and was president of HOPE Family Services.

Mr. Shore is a Certified Clerk of Circuit Court and Municipal Clerk and has been awarded GFOA's Award for Excellence for Achievement Recognition. He was selected as the Clerk of the Year (2001-2002) in the State of Florida for his outstanding contribution and vision in technological advances for the Clerks of Courts. He was featured in the April 2004 issue of the American Bar Association Journal regarding court records. He was chosen as the 2008 National Award of Merit Winner by the American Association of State and Local History for his contributions to historic preservation and heritage education in Manatee County.