Leon County Florida, Primary Ballot August 2018
Leon County, Florida Primary Ballot Blog (Republican Party)
Don't forget to vote August 28, 2018
This is my take and observations on the candidates on my ballot. I include links where I can but really this is an exercise to help ME decide who to vote for. Hope it helps those others out there researching.
United States Senator
Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente - why is this guy wasting his time? He is a Californian running for senator simultaneously in 5 states. Maybe so he can combine funding who knows.
Rick Scott - (My Pick) If you don't know who Rick Scott is maybe you should try voting on the 29th. He is not perfect but this is a no brainer.
Governor and Lt. Governor
Surprisingly there are more than 2 candidates
I'm not going to discuss the Lt. Governor because it doesn't really matter.
Don Baldaulf - Business man, small government guy, but he doesn't have the experience to be the Governor. I'm sorry to say Don has no chance.
Ron DeSantis - (My Pick) The current US Congressman for the 6th District. Former Navy JAG officer. A member of the conservative Freedom caucus.
Timothy M. Devine - He was a write-in candidate for Governor in 2014. Also ran twice for Oceola Sheriff. Has no website and doesn't do interviews. Apparently he just likes the idea of being on a ballot.
Bob Langford - Retired Tallahassee attorney, worked for the Legislature for eight years and had been a lawyer for
the Office of Public Counsel as well as in the Attorney General's office. Also has no website or Facebook page. Qualifications include quote "I believe I have been to every intersection in this state, many times." ...I'm sure he has.
John Joseph Mercadante - Not good with words. Businessman working as an HVAC repairman. Seems like a nice guy but doesn't have a chance.
Bruce Nathan - physical therapist for over 20 years, once a democrat that changed republican after 9/11. No political experience. Also no chance.
Adam H. Putnam - (A close runner up) Current Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture. Served in Florida congress for 10 years. I think he would make a good governor, but after hearing the debate between him and DeSantis I have to give the edge to DeSantis.
Attorney General
Ashley Moody - (My Pick) Practiced commercial litigation then became a federal prosecutor for a few years. After that she became the youngest judge in Florida. Supported by Pam Bondi and a lot of sheriffs.
Frank White - CFO and general counsel to Sansing Dealer Group. Serves as chair of Florida Development Finance Corporation Board of Directors. Has not been a prosecutor before, I think that is really important.
Commissioner of Agriculture
Matt Caldwell - (My Close Pick) Former real estate appraiser. Current member of the Florida House where he was elected in 2010. Has a lot of endorsements
Denise Grimsley - Registered Nurse with an MBA, Current member of the Florida Senate, Chair of the Senate Ag committee. Also has a lot of endorsements, has detailed plan in the form of a short e-book. (think Leslie Knope)
Mike McCalister - Retired Army Colonel. Former professor. Owner/operator of a small tree farm. I liked most of his ideas for changes in the Ag department. He does not have many endorsements and does not have much chance of winning
Baxter Troutman - Family farmer and rancher also CEO of Labor Solutions. Former member of the Florida House 2002 - 2010. Board member with Farm Bureau. He does not have many endorsements, has more funding than McCalister but still does not have much chance of winning
Circuit Judge 2nd Judicial Circuit, Group 12
- I listened to a "debate" with them and any of the 3 would make a decent judge.
Lisa Barclay Fountain -Worked at a variety of private law firms, about half plantiffs and half defense lawyer.
David Frank - (My Close Pick) Former Green Beret, CIA analyst, and Assistant Attorney General. Currently owns The Frank Law Firm. Also has defense and plantiff experience. I give him the edge because he had experience as a prosecutor in addition to private work.
D. Christine Thurman - Worked primarily in family civil law. Strong volunteer background.
County Judge, Group 3
Cydnee Brown - Former non-commissioned officer in air-force and prosecutor with State Attorney, currently criminal defense and family law attorney.
Monique Richardson - Former public defender and managing attorney to Legal Services of North Florida. Current lawyer to the AME Church, Supported by NOW so not supported by me.
Suzanne Van Wyk - (my Pick) Currently an administrative law judge, served as GC to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, as assistant county attorney with the Leon County Attorney’s Office, and as a staff attorney for the Florida Building Commission and the Florida Senate, Committee on Community Affairs. My pick based on her experience as a judge and lawyer
Bruce Nathan - physical therapist for over 20 years, once a democrat that changed republican after 9/11. No political experience. Also no chance.
Adam H. Putnam - (A close runner up) Current Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture. Served in Florida congress for 10 years. I think he would make a good governor, but after hearing the debate between him and DeSantis I have to give the edge to DeSantis.
Attorney General
Ashley Moody - (My Pick) Practiced commercial litigation then became a federal prosecutor for a few years. After that she became the youngest judge in Florida. Supported by Pam Bondi and a lot of sheriffs.
Frank White - CFO and general counsel to Sansing Dealer Group. Serves as chair of Florida Development Finance Corporation Board of Directors. Has not been a prosecutor before, I think that is really important.
Commissioner of Agriculture
Matt Caldwell - (My Close Pick) Former real estate appraiser. Current member of the Florida House where he was elected in 2010. Has a lot of endorsements
Denise Grimsley - Registered Nurse with an MBA, Current member of the Florida Senate, Chair of the Senate Ag committee. Also has a lot of endorsements, has detailed plan in the form of a short e-book. (think Leslie Knope)
Mike McCalister - Retired Army Colonel. Former professor. Owner/operator of a small tree farm. I liked most of his ideas for changes in the Ag department. He does not have many endorsements and does not have much chance of winning
Baxter Troutman - Family farmer and rancher also CEO of Labor Solutions. Former member of the Florida House 2002 - 2010. Board member with Farm Bureau. He does not have many endorsements, has more funding than McCalister but still does not have much chance of winning
Circuit Judge 2nd Judicial Circuit, Group 12
- I listened to a "debate" with them and any of the 3 would make a decent judge.
Lisa Barclay Fountain -Worked at a variety of private law firms, about half plantiffs and half defense lawyer.
David Frank - (My Close Pick) Former Green Beret, CIA analyst, and Assistant Attorney General. Currently owns The Frank Law Firm. Also has defense and plantiff experience. I give him the edge because he had experience as a prosecutor in addition to private work.
D. Christine Thurman - Worked primarily in family civil law. Strong volunteer background.
County Judge, Group 3
Cydnee Brown - Former non-commissioned officer in air-force and prosecutor with State Attorney, currently criminal defense and family law attorney.
Monique Richardson - Former public defender and managing attorney to Legal Services of North Florida. Current lawyer to the AME Church, Supported by NOW so not supported by me.
Suzanne Van Wyk - (my Pick) Currently an administrative law judge, served as GC to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, as assistant county attorney with the Leon County Attorney’s Office, and as a staff attorney for the Florida Building Commission and the Florida Senate, Committee on Community Affairs. My pick based on her experience as a judge and lawyer
Mayor
Norris H. Barr - No website or facebook page, difficult to find info. No.
John Dailey - Was county commission for 12 years. He endorses Gwen Graham for governor.
Dustin R Daniels - Andrew Gillum's former chief of staff....NO No No.
Carrie Litherland - Young with no experience, not clear where she stands on several issues.
Michelle Rehwinkel Vasillinda -Moderate Democrat in the Florida house, pro 2nd amendment, could do worse.
Joe West - (my close Pick) Disabled Vietnam Vet. I agree with most of ideas and we need someone new in city office.
City Commissioner, Seat 3
Lisa Brown - formerly registered republican now NPA, considers herself a moderate.
Richard Garzola - Democrat, community organizer
Alex C. Jordan - Democrat, longtime state administrator.
Jeremy Matlow - Democrat
Bill Schack - Republican
City Commissioner, Seat 5
Henry Adelusi Jr -
Howard Kessler -
Bob Lotane -
Dianne Williams-Cox -
Norris H. Barr - No website or facebook page, difficult to find info. No.
John Dailey - Was county commission for 12 years. He endorses Gwen Graham for governor.
Dustin R Daniels - Andrew Gillum's former chief of staff....NO No No.
Carrie Litherland - Young with no experience, not clear where she stands on several issues.
Michelle Rehwinkel Vasillinda -Moderate Democrat in the Florida house, pro 2nd amendment, could do worse.
Joe West - (my close Pick) Disabled Vietnam Vet. I agree with most of ideas and we need someone new in city office.
City Commissioner, Seat 3
Lisa Brown - formerly registered republican now NPA, considers herself a moderate.
Richard Garzola - Democrat, community organizer
Alex C. Jordan - Democrat, longtime state administrator.
Jeremy Matlow - Democrat
Bill Schack - Republican
City Commissioner, Seat 5
Henry Adelusi Jr -
Howard Kessler -
Bob Lotane -
Dianne Williams-Cox -
