With election nearing, some offices are unwanted
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

Simpson

While some fields are crowded with candidates seeking the same elected office, there are some offices it appears no one wants.

There are several seats coming up for election that appear to have no takers, not even the incumbents. Fire District seats are especially unwanted.

For example, there are four seats available on the Midway Fire District, two seats on the Avalon Beach-Mulat Fire District and one seat on the Holley-Navarre Fire District that are as yet unsought.

Additionally, no one appears to want to help guide the Blackwater Soil and Water Conservation District; two groups are still open to any takers.

Meanwhile, some incumbents must be doing such a good job they are not drawing any challengers.

Mary Johnson, Clerk of Circuit Court, has no challengers for the job she's held since the early 1990s. The job pays $117,089 per year. There are no term limits on county jobs.

Greg Brown, Property Appraiser, is unchallenged for his $117,089 per year job, as is Supervisor of Elections Ann Bodenstein, who is paid $99,206.

Ross L. Bilbrey, County Judge, Group Two, is unchallenged for his $137,020 per year job, as is Don Salter, County Commissioner from District 3, who is paid $56,686.

JoAnn Simpson, School Board Member from District Two, is also unchallenged for her $32,076 per year job.

The last date to file to run for office is June 20 at 12 p.m., but Supervisor of Elections Ann Bodenstein said there is a danger in waiting until the last moment. There is a lot of paperwork to complete by the deadline and candidates must have a checking account for the candidacy.

The primary election is Aug. 26.

Currently, all candidates are registered as Republicans unless there is no party affiliation needed, such as a school board seat.

Santa Rosa County's registered voters are overwhelmingly Republican, with 56,999 choosing that party affiliation. Democrats in Santa Rosa County number 26,656, 13,348 choose no party affiliation and 3,334 choose another party affiliation.