Leon County, Florida Primary Ballot Blog (Republican Party)
Don't forget to vote August 23, 2022
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
Commissioner of Agriculture - both candidates are well qualified with good experience and similar outlooks on the profession Simpson just has more experience and more likely to win the general election.
James W. Shaw (REP) - Interesting guy. Strong 2nd Amendment supporter. Entrepreneur, has had a lot of different businesses including a compost farm. Seems competent but not as experienced as Simpson.
Wilton Simpson (REP) - (my pick) Current member of the Florida State Senate (since 2016); Elected Senate president in 2019; Lifelong farmer currently has a egg production farm. Supported by Ron DeSantis.
County Judge, Group 1 - Both are former law enforcement, although Jason has more experience, being endorsed by Ben Crump makes me reluctant.
Jason Jones - (my reluctant pick) Leon County judge from 2020 to present. Former FDLE legal council. FDLE special agent for 9 years. Assistant state attorney for 5 years. Endorsed by Ben Crump (definitely a negative)
Mario R. Theodore - Correctional Deputy for 9 years in Chicago. Owns a small law firm. Public defender for 2 years.
Board of County Commissioners At Large, Group 2 - There is no good pick here, Nick may be the least bad.
Rudy Ferguson Sr - Senior pastor of New Birth Tabernacle of Praise. Board Member of Griffin Heights Neighborhood Assoc. Board Member of 100 Black Men Chapter of Tallahassee. Board Member of Leon County Sherriff's Citizen Advisory Council.
Josh Johnson - Not much info on him. Teaches Government and Economics at Godby High. Self proclaimed small business owner. Against the BluePrint $ going to FSU football Stadium. Anti building/growth.
Nick Maddox - (least bad) Our current commissioner since 2010. Considers himself "a conservative Democrat", is OK with raising taxes, focus on affordable housing in the county. Former FSU and NFL football player, voted for $800,000 sidewalk project that mostly benefits the Double Tree.
Dominique "Nikki" Zumbo - Executive Assistant for Student Housing Solutions. Legislative Assistant for Gray Robinson. Worked on Jack Porter's campaign. (a definite negative)
Board of County Commissioners, District 1
Terrance L. Barber - (my pick) Not much info on him, but I liked his presentation and ideas in the WFSU debate. Pro business, strong emphasis on growth and jobs.
Donna Pearl Co-tterell Certified Grants manager. Worked briefly for city of Quincy. Brief term as a middle school teacher. Director at a theater for several years.
Bill Proctor - Current County Commissioner. While not the worst county commissioner we have, we could definitely use a change.
School Board Member, District 4 - all 3 seem like they could do a good job.
Laurie Lawson Cox - (my close pick) Teacher for 33 years. Well spoken, seems to have a lot of connections in the schools.
Susan Hodges - Main focus is physical safety in school. Supports Parental Rights Bill. Strong supporter of DeSantis. She does not seem as familiar with the schools and active programs in them.
Alex Stemlie - Assistant principal at Ran for school board 2 years ago. Previous dean of students at Deer Lake Middle School. Not a conservative but seems reasonable and a good vision for the school board.
Mayor
John Dailey - (my pick) A democrat but I believe an honest one. I don't always agree with his stances but I think he genuinely cares about our town and is not corrupt. Supported giving Blueprint Funds to update FSU and FAMU stadiums.
Kristin Dozier - Current county commissioner for District 5. Vice president of Mad Dog Construction. Leed Accredited. Opposed giving Blueprint Funds to update FSU and FAMU stadiums. Not much different between her and John Dailey.
Michael "Mike" Ibrahim - His last three jobs have been owner or ceo of a vape shop or cannibals seller. It's a hard no for me.
Whitfield "Hubba Bubba" Leland - Not much info but the little there is says no no no.
City Commissioner, Seat 3
David Bellamy - (my pick) Former Police Officer, current physician. Also a democrat, but he can't be much worse than Jeremy. Endorsed by the Florida Police Benevolent Society and the Board of Realtors.
Jeremy Matlow - Current City Commissioner since 2018. All of the current city commissioners are "progressives" he and Jack Porter are two of the most progressive out of them.
City Commissioner, Seat 5
Shelby Green - Recent engineering grad currently working with Soil and Water conservation district. Young environmentalist and social justice warrior.
Adner Marcelin - Uber lib. Active in the local NAACP chapter. Endorsed by: Ben Crump, Jeremy Matlow. and Jack Porter
Dianne Williams Cox - (my reluctant pick) Current city commissioner Seat 5. Worked for 19 years in several different state jobs, jumping from one section to another. Has spent much of her career as a Democrat chairperson on one committee or another. At least she is not the other 2 running for this seat. The best thing she has going for her is that Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter are actively trying to get her removed, so she must be doing something right.
