TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday afternoon he plans to nominate Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to be the next Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

“As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Congratulations to Chad, his wife Nikki, and two wonderful sons!”

Chronister has served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for the past 32 years. He became the top law enforcement officer in the county in September 2017.

The sheriff was twice re-elected by voters following his initial appointment by then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

In a social media post Saturday, Scott called Chronister “an incredible pick to lead the DEA.”

“When I appointed Chad as Hillsborough County Sheriff in 2017, he had already spent more than 20 years in law enforcement fighting every day to protect Florida families,” Scott wrote. “His work over the last 7 years shows Chad’s dedication to cracking down on crime, fighting the fentanyl crisis, and showing up every day to keep Floridians safe.”

According to the sheriff’s office website, Chronister has received several recognitions during his time in law enforcement, including commendations and awards for his efforts to reduce crime and focus on community policing.

Chronister expressed his gratitude for the nomination in a statement provided to News Channel 8 Saturday afternoon.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation,” he said.

Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody also chimed in on X following Trump’s announcement.

“Congratulations to my friend and my outstanding sheriff, @ChadChronister on being appointed DEA Administrator,” she wrote. “Chad has fought on the frontlines of the opioid crisis, and I know his leadership and decades of experience will be invaluable as we work to combat the flow of Mexican fentanyl into our county.”