Currently there are 15 residents running for public office in Santa Rosa County during the August 30 Primary Election. Seven of the candidates are seeking another term at their position. With the upcoming retirement of SRC Sheriff Wendell Hall, five candidates are running in order to fill the position. While both Tax Collector Stan Colie Nichols and Superintendent of Schools Tim Wyrosdick are hoping to keep their positions, they both currently have at least one opponent to run against. While Nichols will be running against Dustin James Mathews, a fellow registered republican from Milton, Wyrosdick is running against Paul Bartholomew Steele of Navarre. According to the SRC Supervisor of Elections website, Steele has no political party affiliation. There is still time for those wanting to enter the race for public office. For federal and judicial positions, residents have until noon on April 4. Candidates of state-wide, multi-county, county, district and city have until noon on May 23, per supervisor of elections.
2016 Candidates for Primary Election(as of February 1, 2016)
Clerk of Court and Comptroller
- Donald C. Spencer (incumbent)
Sheriff
- Robert “Bob” Johnson
- Chris Roper
- Edward “Ted” M. Roy, Jr.
- Henry “Hank” Shirah III
- Robert “Robby” Way
Property Appraiser
- Gregory S. Brown (incumbent)
Tax Collector
- Dustin James Mathews
- Stan Colie Nichols (incumbent)
Superintendent of Schools
- Tim Wyrosdick (incumbent)
- Paul Bartholomew Steele
Supervisor of Elections
- Tappie A. Villane (incumbent )
County Commissioner District 1
- D. Mark Cotton
County Commissioner District 3
- Don Salter (incumbent)
School Board District 4
- Jennifer Granse (incumbent)
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: List: Candidates running for county office