There is a lot at stake in the Aug. 20 primary election, as most local races will be decided without going to the general election. Here’s a look at many of the election races in Escambia and Santa Rosa County, including candidate questions and answers.
Escambia County Precinct 1 Commissioner Race
Escambia County District 1 Republican voters will decide Aug. 20 whether to keep Jeff Bergosh for a third term on the board or choose a new commissioner, Jesse Casey or Steven Stroberger. With three candidates in the race and no second round, a winning candidate could be selected with just 33.4% of the votes.
Read more here: Escambia County District 1 candidates turn primary into referendum on Jeff Bergosh
Q&A from Jeff Bergosh: 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 seek the Republican nomination in the Aug. 20 primary to face Democratic candidate Ron Helms in November.
Read more here: Escambia County District 4 Republicans Fight 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 competing to replace District 4 President Patty Hightower: Rich Holzknecht, a 28-year veteran Navy pilot and father of four ECPS graduates; Carissa Bergosh, classroom teacher and counselor; Earle McAuley, Santa Rosa County high school teacher, coach and father of four at ECPS; and Brian Ranelli, director of market development and chairman of the board at Parent University.
Candidate Questions and Answers: Rich Holzknecht for Escambia County School Board, District 4
Candidate Questions and Answers: Earle McAuley for Escambia County School Board – District 4
Candidate Questions and Answers: Brian Ranelli for Escambia County School Board, District 4
Carissa Bergosh did not respond to the candidate’s Q&A.
Escambia County School Board District 5 Race
Three candidates are competing to replace District 5 Council Member Bill Slayton: Thomas Harrell, 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 candidate questionnaire.
Candidate Questions and Answers: Tom Harrell for Escambia School Board, District 5
Candidate Questions and Answers: Joshua Luther for Escambia School Board, District 5
Candidate Questions and Answers: Jim “Andy” Taylor for Escambia County School Board, District 5
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 1 Race
ECUA District 1 Council Member Vicki Campbell is facing a challenge from James “Jim” Faxlanger.
Candidate Questions and Answers: Vicki Campbell for ECUA Board Member, District 1
Candidate Questions and Answers: James “Jim” Faxlanger of Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, District 1
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 3 Race
ECUA District 3 Council Member Larry Williams is facing a challenge from Chase Anderson “Andy” Romagnano.
Candidate Questions and Answers: Chase Anderson “Andy” Romagnano for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 3
Candidate Questions and Answers: Larry Williams for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 3
Santa Rosa County Primary Election
Santa Rosa County District 1 Commissioners 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 primary does not have a Democratic opponent, but will face two write-in candidates in November.
Read more here: Santa Rosa Commissioner Sam Parker Faces Three Challengers in August Primary
Questions and answers about Sam Parker: Sam Parker for Santa Rosa County Commissioner, District 1
Rollar Ayers Q&A: Rollar Ayers for Santa Rosa County Commissioner, District 1
Candidates Bobby Burkett and Aaron Williams did not return candidate Q&A profiles.
Santa Rosa County District 3 Commissioners Race
Santa Rosa County District 3 Commissioner James Calkins faces two challengers, Rhett Rowell and Jerry Couey. The winner of the Republican primary does not have a Democratic opponent, 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 Q&A profile of the candidate.
Santa Rosa County District 5 Commissioners Race
Santa Rosa County District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright faces a challenge from newcomer Michael Priest. The winner of the Republican primary does not have a Democratic opponent, but will face two write-in candidates in November.
Read more here: Santa Rosa Commissioner Colten Wright Praises 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, Santa Rosa Professional Educators President David Godwin and former Santa Rosa County Moms for Liberty Treasurer Brenda Stephens. As there is no Democratic opponent, the race will be decided in the August 20 primaries.
Read more here: Santa Rosa Superintendent Challenged by Union Boss, Former Moms for Liberty Treasurer
Questions and answers about Karen Barbeiro: Karen Barber for Santa Rosa County District Schools Superintendent
David Godwin Q&A: David Godwin for Superintendent of Santa Rosa Schools
Candidate Brenda Stephens did not return a candidate Q&A profile.
District 2 Race for Santa Rosa County Public Schools Board Member
Santa Rosa County Public Schools board member Elizabeth Hewey, District 2 incumbent, is running for re-election against Mariya Calkins, founder of the Santa Rosa County chapter Moms for Liberty, 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 neither candidate reaches the 50% threshold, a second round will be held in November between the two candidates who receive the most votes.
Read more here: The Santa Rosa County School Board has five candidates ready to compete for two open seats
Candidate Questions and Answers: Elizabeth Hewey for Santa Rosa County School Board Member, District 2
Candidate Questions and Answers: Mariya Calkins for Santa Rosa County School Board, District 2
Candidate Questions and Answers: Oscar Locklin for Santa Rosa School Board, District 2
District 4 Race for Santa Rosa County Public Schools Board Member
Current Santa Rosa County Public Schools District 4 board member Charles “Charlie” Elliott is facing newcomer Angie Straughn. This is a nonpartisan race and will be decided in the August 20 primary.
Read more here: The Santa Rosa County School Board has five candidates ready to compete for two open seats
Candidate Questions and Answers: Angie Straughn for Santa Rosa County School Board, District 4
Charles “Charlie” Elliott did not return a Q&A profile of the candidate.
Race for Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections
Santa Rosa County Election Supervisor Tappie Villane will face an opponent for the first time since 2012 as she is challenged by Cindy Hall. Both women are running for Republican offices and the Supervisor of Elections will be determined on August 20 as there is no Democratic challenger.
Read more here: Tappie Villane of Santa Rosa faces a rare challenge for his position as Supervisor of Elections
Candidate Questions and Answers: Tappie Villane for Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections
Challenger Cindy Hall did not return a Q&A profile of the candidate.
Race for Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller
Two Republicans are competing to replace retiring Court Clerk Don Spencer. Jason English worked as general counsel for the Clerk’s Office and now serves as deputy clerk. Ginger Pace has worked at the Clerk’s Office for 35 years. This race will be determined by an August 20 vote in the Republican Party primary, as there is no Democratic challenger.
Read more here: Lively debate highlights dispute between Santa Rosa County court clerks and controllers
Candidate Questions and Answers: Jason English for Clerk of Court and Santa Rosa County Comptroller
Candidate Questions and Answers: Ginger Pace for Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
This article originally appeared in the Pensacola News Journal: Voting Guide: 2024 Escambia Santa Rosa County Primary Election
