Alachua County Commission - District 2

Alachua County Commission Distirct 2 includes all of voting precincts 12, 17, 21, 37, 50 and 57, as well as parts of voting precincts 22, 38 and 45.

Marihelen Weeler, who won the Democratic primary, will face Libertarian Gregory Caudill and NPA candidate Scott Costello. A write-in candidate also qualified for this race.

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Democratic

 

Age: 66

Candidate's family: Paul T. Wheeler, husband, and Jeremiah Braiman, son

Occupation: Retired teacher

Education: M.A. from Eastern Kentucky University and M.A. in Education from the University of Florida

Political experience: Political campaign for Congress in 2014 and Florida House 21 in 2016

Summarize your political platform in 10 words or less.

Economic equity, sustainable growth, environmental protections, children's services

What do you see as the top three issues in this race?

Protecting our natural resources; increasing economic opportunity and equity; and building a stronger community through services for children and families

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot? 

Many people know me in the community from my long history of advocating for clean water, living wages, and quality educational resources for our children. They know that I can continue my commitment to these issues on the county commission while working with our municipalities and across jurisdictional lines.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office? 

I hope to be remembered for successfully including more women and young people in the work of the Alachua County Commission as it addresses economic and academic inequities. 

Website: MarihelenWheeler.com
Social media: Facebook 

Libertarian


Age: 38

Candidate's family: Spouse: Gel Caudill; Sons: Gregory and Charles Caudill (4 and 2)

Occupation: Database Analyst

Education: Bachelors of Science in Political Science from the University of Maryland, Bachelors of Science in Computer Science University of Florida

Political experience: First time running for public office.

Summarize your political platform in 10 words or less.

Government should empower people, not try to control their behavior.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race?

1. Alachua County has the highest effective property tax rate in the state. This hurts our families and businesses.
2. Alachua County has the highest energy costs in the state, with a large portion of GRU customers having no say in the mismanagement by the Gainesville City Commissioners.
3. The current Alachua County Commission has had an anti-growth agenda that has stopped developments that would bring needed jobs and economic growth to out County.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot? 

As a veteran of the United States Army, I am familiar with fighting hard battles and doing so with a strong moral code of integrity, honesty and duty. I have a unique perspective in my belief that the person best qualified to make decisions about your life is you. As your County Commissioner, I will not use power to make you do what I want, but give you the power to do what you need.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office? 

I will be remembered for fighting for the people of Alachua County who currently have no voice. I will be remembered for knowing that there is more to Alachua County than the city of Gainesville. I will be remembered for seeing that needs get prioritized over wants. I will be remembered for putting pavement on roads.

Website: gregcaudill.com
Social media: Facebook / Twitter
 

NPA

Rocky Ford is a nonpartisan candidate running for District 2 on the Columbia County Commission. 

This candidate has not responded to the News4Jax survey.

Campaign website: rockyforddistrict2.com