JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- One of four announced candidates runnin for the state House district representing southeast Duval County, Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra has learned he will be campaigning long distance -- from Iraq.

Jack Capra, a Republican candidate for state House District 18, is also a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps. Capra said he was just mobilized for his fifth tour of duty overseas since Sept. 11, 2001, and is to leave in April on a six-month deployment to Baghdad.

Capra, who returned from Guantanamo Bay last July, released a statement saying he intends to remain in the race and campaign from the Green Zone.

"I have absolutely no intentions of dropping out of my race for the Florida House," Capra said. "I am once again being called on by my country to serve all Americans, and when I return I will be fully prepared to serve all the constituents of District 18."

The seat is being vacated by Don Davis, who is retiring from the house after eight years.

As a Republican, he will run against Elaine Brown and Ronald "Doc" Renault in the Aug. 26 primary. He is not scheduled to return from Iraq until October, but doesn't feel running his campaign from halfway around the world is an insurmountable obstacle.

"We are fortunate to live in a technological age where I will still be able to actively stay in touch with both voters and all of the issues in District 18 while I am in Baghdad," Capra said.

Capra said he'll also have a team in the district working for him.

"I do not see this as an unreachable hurdle in my quest for the District 18 seat, rather an exciting challenge," Capra said.

If he wins the Republican nomination, he will face Democrat Dave Smith on Nov. 4.