Republicans George Bush, Tara Green and Larry Lancaster are running in the Aug. 14 primary for Clay County Clerk of Court.  There is no Democrat running, but the winner of the Republican primary will appear on the November ballot because Ronald Robertson qualified as a write-in candidate.

Scroll down to read about the candidates for this office:

George Bush

AGE:  65

FAMILY:  Wife of 41 years, Pam Bush; 4 children: Chrissy, Barbara, Susan and Paul

OCCUPATION: CEO Bush-Thompson Insurance, Inc.

EDUCATION:  Bachelor of science in business administration: University of Florida (1972); post-graduate business management courses, Vanderbilt University; insurance degree courses, Florida State College; certified insurance counselor, Society of Insurance Counselors; USN aviation courses

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:  Clay County Commission, 16 years, past chairman; Clay County School Board, 12 years, past chairman; North Florida Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization, 10 years, past chairman; North Florida Regional Planning Board, 2 years

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

  1. "There is just one major issue in this race: how to manage the clerk’s office and provide quality service to the public in the face of steep budget cuts from the State. This is a critical issue given the clerk’s vital role in recording, safeguarding, and providing public access to records and the clerk’s responsibility in supporting the administration of the courts. Mismanagement of public assets in the clerk’s office could result in reduced services to the public and delayed access to courts and records. Most of us who are not attorneys may not fully appreciate what that means. However, if you are a struggling single parent who needs child support payments, a court backlog can create a significant hardship.
  2. "Also of significance, will be correcting the deficiencies in the current computer system so as to be able to interface with the State of Florida electronic records management system for criminal as well as civil documents. The current system has never lived up to its promised expectations and specifications.

HOW CAN YOU HELP VOTERS IN A WAY THAT THE OTHERS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE CANNOT?

  • "As a small business owner with decades of management experience, I know what it means to do more with less in this economy. I can help the clerk’s office do the same. If elected, I would review operations within the clerk’s office to identify efficiencies and achieve costs savings; embrace appropriate technology; and review staff salaries, especially those in excess of $100,000."

WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

  • "Although presented with significant financial challenges, I ran an office that provided outstanding customer service and was efficient, transparent in its operations, and accountable to the public."

CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:GeorgeABush.com

Tara Green

FAMILY:  Husband Chris, for 15 years; 3 children: twins Connor and Taylor (12) and Savannah

OCCUPATION: Vice president of employee and organizational development for Alltel

CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:  Greenforclerk.com

This candidate has not responded to the WJXT/News4Jax.com questionnaire.

Larry Lancaster

AGE: 64

FAMILY:  Dawna Pozin Berlin; 3 children, 9 grandchildren

OCCUPATION:  Retired after 39 years with Clay County school system - 16 years as school administrator; 23 years as classroom teacher

EDUCATION: A.A., St. Johns River State College (1967); B.S., Georgia Southwestern College (1969); M.Ed. University of North Florida (1977)

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:   16 years as Clay County commissioner, 4 years as chairman; 10 years as trustee for St. Johns River State College, 6 years as vice-chair, 1 year as chair

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP THREE ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

  1. "Experience and leadership skills; knowledge of the clerk's duties, the sensitivity of recorded documents and the ability to reach consensus with other county officials regarding budging, budgetary and growth factors."
  2. "Awareness of and ability to lead courthouse staff in delivering 'customer friendly services'.
  3. "Continued development of technological strategies to record, transmit and maintain public and court related documents."

WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

  • "My commitment to serving the public with integrity and providing efficient, transparent, and helpful service in the clerk's office."

CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:LarryForClerk.com