Ready for political season

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

In just about a week, formal qualifying for local office will close and we will officially enter the political season.
The Wakulla Sun will host candidate forums after qualifying and we see how the races shape up.
At this point, some of the contested races include:

  • Sheriff, with incumbent Jared Miller facing challenger Army Reyes.
  • Property appraiser, with incumbent Ed Brimner facing former appraiser Donnie Sparkman.
  • Superintendent of Schools, with the retirment of Bobby Pearce, three men are running to replace him: Rick Myhre, Matt Payne, and Ricky Strickland.
  • For county commission, Valerie Russell is challenging Mike Kemp in a rematch from four years ago.
  • On school board, the retirement of Melisa Taylor leaves that seat open for a challenge between Angie Nichols and June Davis; and incumbent Josh Brown is facing a challenge from Camden Smit.
    Those without opponents right now, among the constitutional officers, are Clerk of Courts Greg James, Tax Collector Lisa Craze, and Supervisor of Elections Joe Morgan.
    No one has so far challenged incumbent County Commissioner Ralph Thomas; and Josh Lawhon has no opponent yet as he seeks the county commission seat currently held by Chuck Hess, who is retiring.
    Got questions for candidates to be asked at our forums? Send them to me at editor@thewakullasun.com.
    And, as in past political seasons, the newspaper will accept Letters to the Editor endorsing candidates, but no negative letters.
    There’s enough negativity in politics, we don’t need anymore at the local level.
    Tell us what you like about your candidate without tearing the other candidate down.

William Snowden is editor and publisher of The Wakulla Sun.