James Calkins (Republican) has served as a Santa Rosa County commissioner for the last four years and is looking to keep his District 3 seat.
Q: Give us your elevator speech – what are your campaign’s top priorities and why?
A: My top priorities are to keep taxes low, stop illegal immigration in Santa Rosa County, and improve infrastructure. I am committed to maintaining our quality of life and ensuring that our community prospers while protecting our values.
Q: Santa Rosa County is experiencing enormous growth, now totaling over 200,000 residents. With growth comes opportunities and problems. How do you balance growth to ensure it is measured and that the infrastructure is in place to support it?
A: Balancing growth requires a measured approach. I will prioritize the budget to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, ensuring that our roads, schools, and public services can keep up with the increasing demand.
Q: The county has nearly a $250 million annual budget. What makes you qualified to handle a budget that large, and how do you ensure transparency so that taxpayers have trust in how the government is spending its money?
A: My experience working with large budgets as the president of the Holley-Navarre Water System, Inc. and my tenure as Santa Rosa County commissioner for four years qualify me to manage this budget. I ensure transparency by maintaining open communication, providing detailed budget reports, and involving the community in decisions. I exposed the previous county administrator, Dan Schebler, who failed to file proper paperwork that cost the county a lot of money, which is why he is no longer a county administrator. By addressing such issues and ensuring transparency, I am committed to safeguarding the financial integrity of Santa Rosa County.
Q: In your opinion, what’s the biggest problem currently facing Santa Rosa County? And how do you solve that problem?
A: One of the biggest problems facing Santa Rosa County is flooding, especially in areas like Navarre. To address this, I propose investing in improved drainage systems and infrastructure upgrades to mitigate flood risks and protect our residents and their properties.
Q: Voters are looking for a reason to pick you over your opponents. Every candidate will say they are a good person, who works hard, etc. Don’t waste the chance: What separates you from your opponents in this race? Why should someone vote for you?
A: I am the only Republican who has never been registered as a Democrat, unlike both of my opponents. I also have a proven track record of keeping taxes low, investing in necessary infrastructure, and standing firm against illegal immigration. I am a committed public servant with a clear vision for our county’s future, backed by tangible results and the unwavering support of our community. Vote for proven conservative leadership and a brighter future for Santa Rosa County.
Jerry Couey (Republican) worked 39 years in the offshore energy business before retiring in 2020. Now, he is looking to become the Sistrict 3 commissioner.
Q: Give us your elevator speech – what are your campaign’s top priorities and why?
A: Santa Rosa County is 30 years behind in infrastructure and our citizens are experiencing many flooding issues. We have grown from 30,000 citizens in 1960 to 206,000 today with little change in our road systems. I welcome new citizens, but we must increase our road capacities. I am known for making sure that the Sunshine law is followed to make sure the citizens have a transparent open government. We are blessed to have a large presence of the military in our county, and we must work to protect these bases and mission.
Q: Santa Rosa County is experiencing enormous growth, now totaling over 200,000 residents. With growth comes opportunities and problems. How do you balance growth to ensure it is measured and that the infrastructure is in place to support it?
A: A great many of our problems are due to lack of planning. We must develop written master plans for growth, roads, water, first responders, wastewater, stormwater and have the courage to stay on plan.
Q: The county has nearly a $250 million annual budget. What makes you qualified to handle a budget that large, and how do you ensure transparency so that taxpayers have trust in how the government is spending its money?
A: I have been very active in county operations for over 30 years. I have a very clear understanding of every function in the county. For the last two years I have given a great deal of input in preparing the budgets. As a champion of Sunshine and transparency, I can assure you that everything you want to know about how we spend your money will be available to all citizens.
Q: In your opinion, what’s the biggest problem currently facing Santa Rosa County? And how do you solve that problem?
A: Infrastructure. Every conversation must be focused on getting caught up on infrastructure and ensuring future growth has the needed infrastructure first. We must have a comprehensive plan for growth and follow the plan. Our quality of life is starting to slip and I will not let that happen.
Q: Voters are looking for a reason to pick you over your opponents. Every candidate will say they are a good person, who works hard, etc. Don’t waste the chance: What separates you from your opponents in this race? Why should someone vote for you?
A: The most important thing the voters should know about me is that I am not for sale. I have not and will not take campaign contributions from special interests’ groups. Secondly, I will not need any “on the job training.” I start with years of experience and clear understanding of how the county works. I am involved in county operations on a weekly basis and will put my energy into making our county better. Finally, I will focus my efforts on “we the people” who for too long has been left out of the conversations.
Rhett Rowell (Republican) is a fourth generation Santa Rosa County resident. He is a teacher at Jay High School and has been teaching in the Santa Rosa School District for 18 years. This is his first attempt at running for political office.
Q: Give us your elevator speech – what are your campaign’s top priorities and why?
A: I am running for county commissioner because every day we have real problems affecting real citizens. Runaway development has led to traffic congestion and flooding issues caused by improper drainage. We have not adequately preserved our farmland, greenspaces and waterways. The incumbent has failed to address these serious problems, allowing them to steadily become worse. District 3 deserves a commissioner with common sense that will focus on Santa Rosa issues. I will be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, preserve our farmland and greenspace, and promote our county in a positive manner that all citizens will be proud of.
Q: Santa Rosa County is experiencing enormous growth, now totaling over 200,000 residents. With growth comes opportunities and problems. How do you balance growth to ensure it is measured and that the infrastructure is in place to support it?
A: It is important to implement the planning that was previously done to define the county’s zoning and future land use. All zoning change requests and variance requests need to be measured against those plans, and assessed for their compatibility with the plan. If the plan is flawed, fix the plan. Don’t create more problems by approving spot zoning or incompatible variances. This is why we need to correct weaknesses in the Land Development Code and review the Future Land Use maps. Preventing drainage issues, avoiding traffic congestion, and preserving green space is always preferable to repairing these preventable problems later.
Q: The county has nearly a $250 million annual budget. What makes you qualified to handle a budget that large, and how do you ensure transparency so that taxpayers have trust in how the government is spending its money?
A: The rudiments of the budgetary process are ingrained in me. For nearly two decades, I have taught students American history, American government and economics. Just as my students are required to write papers, I will annually write a budget summary and distribute it to the residents of Santa Rosa County. I hope to make the budget understandable, illustrating how tax dollars are used and seeking feedback. … I’ll be a commissioner that treats the budget with the same discernment a senior citizen on a fixed income does, or as a young family does budgeting for their needs and their future.
Q: In your opinion, what’s the biggest problem currently facing Santa Rosa County? And how do you solve that problem?
A: For years, protecting our military missions and creating jobs were the biggest problems facing Santa Rosa County. More recently, runaway development with inadequate infrastructure has become the biggest problem. Our roads can’t handle much more. Inadequate and congested roads have a negative impact on military missions and keeping jobs in Santa Rosa County. Enhancing quality of life, protecting waterways, and developing recreation facilities for new neighborhoods have been ignored by the incumbent. I ask citizens to compare our contributions and draw their own conclusions on where the incumbent’s loyalties lie.
Q: Voters are looking for a reason to pick you over your opponents. Every candidate will say they are a good person, who works hard, etc. Don’t waste the chance: What separates you from your opponents in this race? Why should someone vote for you?
A: Santa Rosa citizens are fed up with the way our county is being represented by James Calkins … I will deliver results that matter. I will not continue the endless pandering we have to endure today. I will focus on Santa Rosa County. I will be a good steward of your tax dollars. I’ll do the research to find all available sources of funding for Santa Rosa County, whether in Tallahassee or Washington D.C. No stone will be left unturned. District 3 and Santa Rosa County need a candidate with common sense; a candidate that won’t embarrass you.
Patrick Brown and Sandra Maddox are write-ins and did not reply to the questionnaire.