There is much at stake in the Aug. 20 Primary Election as the majority of local races will be decided without going to the General Election. Here’s a look at many of the races on the ballot in Escambia and Santa Rosa County, including candidate Q&As.
Escambia County District 1 Commissioner race
Escambia County District 1 Republican voters will decide on Aug. 20 whether to keep Jeff Bergosh for a third term on the board or choose a new commissioner in either Jesse Casey or Steven Stroberger. With three candidates in the race and no runoff, a winning candidate could be selected with as little as 33.4% of the vote.
Read more here: Escambia County District 1 candidates turn primary into referendum on Jeff Bergosh
Jeff Bergosh Q&A: Jeff Bergosh for Escambia County Commission, District 1
Jesse Casey Q&A: Jesse Casey for Escambia County Commissioner, District 1
Steve Stroberger Q&A: Steve Stroberger for Escambia County Commissioner, District 1 |
Escambia County District 4 race
Escambia County District 4 has been without a commissioner since January, and the race to fill the seat has become one of the most competitive local races this year. Ashlee Hofberger, Buck Mitchell and Walker Wilson are seeking the Republican nomination in the Aug. 20 primary to face Democratic candidate Ron Helms in November.
Read more here: Escambia County District 4 Republicans battle in competitive race for commission seat
Ashlee Hofberger Q&A: Ashlee Hofberger for Escambia County Commissioner – District 4
Buck Mitchell Q&A: Buck Mitchell for Escambia County Commissioner, District 4
Walker Wilson Q&A: Walker Wilson for Escambia County Commission, District 4
Escambia County School Board District 4 race
Four candidates are vying to replace District 4 Chair Patty Hightower: Rich Holzknecht, a 28-year veteran Navy Pilot and father of four ECPS graduates; Carissa Bergosh, a classroom teacher and guidance counselor; Earle McAuley, a Santa Rosa County high school teacher, coach and father of four children in ECPS; and Brian Ranelli, a director of market development and Parent University board chair.
Candidate Q&A: Rich Holzknecht for Escambia County School Board, District 4
Candidate Q&A: Earle McAuley for Escambia County School Board — District 4
Candidate Q&A: Brian Ranelli for Escambia County School Board, District 4
Carissa Bergosh did not complete a candidate Q&A.
Escambia County School Board District 5 race
Three candidates are vying to replace District 5 Board Member Bill Slayton: Thomas Harrell, a former ECPS teacher and school administrator; Jim “Andy” Taylor, a retired ECPS teacher, coach and social worker endorsed by Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman, and Joshua Luther, who lists himself as “Jack of All Trades” in the News Journal’s candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Q&A: Tom Harrell for Escambia School Board, District 5
Candidate Q&A: Joshua Luther for Escambia School Board, District 5
Candidate Q&A: Jim “Andy” Taylor for Escambia County School Board, District 5
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 1 race
ECUA District 1 Board member Vicki Campbell is facing a challenge by James “Jim” Faxlanger.
Candidate Q&A: Vicki Campbell for ECUA Board Member District 1
Candidate Q&A: James “Jim” Faxlanger for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, District 1
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 3 race
ECUA District 3 Board Member Larry Williams is facing a challenge from Chase Anderson “Andy” Romagnano.
Candidate Q&A: Chase Anderson “Andy” Romagnano for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 3
Candidate Q&A: Larry Williams for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 3
Santa Rosa County Primary Election
Santa Rosa County District 1 Commissioner race
Santa Rosa County District 1 Commissioner Sam Parker faces three challengers for his seat. Parker is being challenged by Bobby Burkett, Aaron Williams and Rollar Ayers. The winner of the Republican Party Primary does not have a Democratic challenger but will face two write-in candidates in November.
Read more here: Santa Rosa Commissioner Sam Parker faces three challengers in August primary
Sam Parker Q&A: Sam Parker for Santa Rosa County Commissioner, District 1
Rollar Ayers Q&A: Rollar Ayers for Santa Rosa County District 1 County Commissioner
Candidates Bobby Burkett and Aaron Williams did not return Candidate Q&A profiles.
Santa Rosa County District 3 Commissioner race
Santa Rosa County District 3 Commissioner James Calkins faces two challengers, Rhett Rowell and Jerry Couey. The winner of the Republican Party Primary does not have a Democratic challenger but will face two write-in candidates in November.
Read more here: Controversial Santa Rosa Commissioner James Calkins faces two opponents in GOP primary
Rhett Rowell Q&A: Rhett Rowell for Santa Rosa County Commission District 3
Jerry Couey Q&A: Jerry Couey for Santa Rosa County Commissioner District 3
Commissioner James Calkins did not return a Candidate Q&A profile.
Santa Rosa County District 5 Commissioner race
Santa Rosa County District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright faces a challenge by newcomer Michael Priest. The winner of the Republican Party Primary does not have a Democratic challenger but will face two write-in candidates in November.
Read more here: Santa Rosa Commissioner Colten Wright touts county’s economic success ahead of Primary
Colten Wright Q&A: Colten Wright for Santa Rosa Commissioner District 5
Candidate Michael Priest did not return a Candidate Q&A profile.
Santa Rosa County Public Schools Superintendent race
Santa Rosa County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Barber faces two challengers, president of the Santa Rosa Professional Educators David Godwin and former Santa Rosa County Moms for Liberty Treasurer Brenda Stephens. As there is not a Democratic challenger, this race will be decided in the Aug. 20 Primary.
Read more here: Santa Rosa superintendent challenged by union chief, former Moms for Liberty treasurer
Karen Barber Q&A: Karen Barber for Superintendent, Santa Rosa County District Schools
David Godwin Q&A: David Godwin for Superintendent of Santa Rosa Schools
Candidate Brenda Stephens did not return a Candidate Q&A profile.
Santa Rosa County Public Schools Board Member District 2 race
Santa Rosa County Public Schools Board Member District 2 incumbent Elizabeth Hewey is running for re-election against Mariya Calkins, founder of the Santa Rosa County Moms for Liberty chapter, and attorney Oscar Locklin. This is a non-partisan race and will be decided in the Primary Election if one of the candidates exceeds 50% plus one vote. If none of the candidates reach the 50% threshold a runoff will be held in November between the two candidates who receive the most votes.
Read more here: Santa Rosa County School Board has five candidates ready to battle for two open seats
Candidate Q&A: Elizabeth Hewey for Santa Rosa County School Board Member, District 2
Candidate Q&A: Mariya Calkins for Santa Rosa County School Board, District 2
Candidate Q&A: Oscar Locklin for Santa Rosa School Board, District 2
Santa Rosa County Public Schools Board Member District 4 race
Santa Rosa County Public Schools District 4 incumbent Board Member Charles “Charlie” Elliott is facing off against newcomer Angie Straughn. This is a non-partisan race and will be decided in the Aug. 20 primary.
Read more here: Santa Rosa County School Board has five candidates ready to battle for two open seats
Candidate Q&A: Angie Straughn for Santa Rosa County School Board, District 4
Charles “Charlie” Elliott did not return a Candidate Q&A profile.
Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections race
Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Tappie Villane will face an opponent for the first time since 2012 as she is being challenged by Cindy Hall. Both women are seeking office as Republicans and the Supervisor of Elections will be determined Aug. 20 as there is not a Democratic challenger.
Read more here: Santa Rosa’s Tappie Villane faces a rare challenge for her Supervisor of Elections seat
Candidate Q&A: Tappie Villane for Supervisor of Elections in Santa Rosa County
Challenger Cindy Hall did not return a Candidate Q&A profile.
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller race
Two Republicans are vying to replace Clerk of Court Don Spencer, who is retiring. Jason English has worked as the Clerk’s Office general counsel and today serves as chief deputy clerk. Ginger Pace has been a Clerk’s Office employee for 35 years. This race will be determined by an Aug. 20 vote in the GOP primary as there is not a Democratic challenger.
Read more here: Spirited debate highlights Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller race
Candidate Q&A: Jason English for Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Candidate Q&A: Ginger Pace for Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Voting guide: Escambia Santa Rosa County Primary Election 2024
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