Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 3, 2016 7:30 a.m.
As of March 1, 2016, there are 58,878 registered voters in Nassau County. Of those, the breakdown is as follows: Democrat, 14,411; Republican, 32,214; Other, 12,253. Look to see those numbers fluctuate as election dates near.
The table below has been updated to reflect information currently available on the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections website www.votenassau.com. Note that changes from last month are listed in bold.
| OFFICE | CANDIDATE | CASH CONTRIBUTIONS | IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS | EXPENDITURES |
| Clerk of the Court & Comptroller | John Crawford (R) | $500.00 | — | — |
| Property Appraiser | Mike Hickox (R) |
— |
$58.85 |
— |
| Sheriff | Carol A. Batchelor (NPA)
Bill Leeper (R) |
—
$14,805.00 |
—
$100.00 |
—
$21.34 |
| Superintendent of Schools | Janet Adkins (R)
Kathy Burns (R) Cheryl James (L) |
$78,115.00
$41,591.89
$900.40 |
$1,604.63
$2,431.71
— |
$19,174.46
$8,127.38
$705.00 |
| Supervisor of Elections | Vicki Cannon (R) |
— |
$160.78 |
— |
| Tax Collector | John Drew (R)
Carlos Slay (R) |
—
$150.00 |
$69.99
— |
—
$98.13 |
| County Commissioner, District 1 | Danny Leeper (R) | — | — | — |
| County Commissioner, District 3 | Pat Edwards (R) | $1,500.00 | — | $124.23 |
| County Commissioner, District 5 | Klynt Farmer (R)
John Stack (R)
Justin Taylor (R)
Joe Zimmerman (R) |
$2,100.00
$1,000.00
$9,815.00
$44,622.91 |
$90.95
—
$138.85
$950.18 |
$856.61
$64.37
$3,482.09
$7,908.53
|
| School Board Member, District 2 (NP) | Gail G. Cook | — | — | — |
| School Board Member, District 4 (NP) | Kimberly Fahlgren | $1,000.00 | — | — |
| Ocean Highway & Port Authority, District 1 | ||||
| Ocean Highway & Port Authority, District 2 | Jimmy Dubberly (R)
Danny Fullwood (R)
|
—
— |
—
— |
—
— |
| Amelia Island Mosquito Control Board, District 1 (NP) |
In reviewing this list, several things stand out. First of all in almost all partisan races, only Republicans have filed to run. The exceptions are the Superintendent of Schools, where a Libertarian candidate has filed, and the Sheriff’s race where an unaffiliated candidate (NPA) has filed to run.
While incumbent School Board District 2 Member Gail Cook has filed to run for re-election, there are no candidates to date for the following races: Ocean Highway and Port Authority District 1 and Amelia Island Mosquito Control Board District 1. Steve Whitley, formerly a candidate for District 5, Nassau County Board of County Commissioners, has withdrawn, reducing the number of candidates in that race to four Republicans.
Unless more Democrats and “Others” enter the local races, most of the elections will be decided in the summer Republican primary. People who choose to vote will need to balance their party of principle—or lack of party affiliation– against the practicality of being able to vote in a local election. As things are shaping up, only registered Republicans will be able to decide many important local races.
Although the books have closed for voting in the March 15 Florida Presidential Preference Primary, you may still register to vote or change your voter registration by August 1 in preparation for the August 30 primary that will apparently decide local races like the School Superintendent race.
Everything you ever wanted to know about running for office—filing, qualifying, financial reporting, etc.—may be found on the Supervisor of Elections website www.votenassau.com. If you are still unclear, you will find that Elections Office staff are knowledgeable and willing to talk with you about your specific questions or the process in general. You may call, visit or email that office, and a friendly, patient staff member will answer all your questions.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.