Incumbent Republican Chuck Brannan is term-limited and can’t seek re-election in District 10, which covers Baker, Bradford, Columbia and Union counties, and part of Alachua County. Marshall Rawson won the Republican primary in August and will now face the sole Democrat who entered the race, Merrillee Malwitz Jipson, in the general election.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson
Occupation: Owner of Rum 138, LLC
Reacreational tourism, fine art gallery, and
Age: 61, at the end of this month
Family: Merrillee is married to Doug Jipson. Her one and only husband. Married since 1999.
They have two adult children, Merrill and Verlyn. Merrillee was born in Milwaukee, WI; lived in Montana; and has lived in Florida since 1976. Merrillee graduated from Coral Springs High School in 1983. Tampa, Sarasota, South Miami Beach, Everglades City, and Fort White. She and her immediate family have lived on the same property here in Fort White since 2002.
We live nestled into a wetland forest next to the highest concentration of freshwater springs on the planet on the Santa Fe River. The youngest child was born here, at home in a waterbirth.
Education: Corla Springs High School, 1983
A.A. University of South Florida, 1985
B.F.A. Ringling Art College, 1991
Political experience: Please review Merrillee.com website for more on background.
Merrillee had run this District 10 seat in 2018, as a NPA. Today in 2026, she is running as a registered Democrat. Merrillee was a registered lobbyist while working for Sierra Club, Florida, as a Red Tide Campaign Organizer working on statewide issues associated with nutrient loading in freshwater natural systems from land use applications.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Clean and healthy Water, Air, and Land
2. Affordable Healthcare for all
3. Public Education resiliency and representing each living community.
Merrillee’s Platform is on her website.
Addressing these issues requires public outreach to all communities in District 10 and North Florida.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Merrillee is the only Candidate who has already been attending local government, state agency, and Legislative meetings and hearings for nearly two decades. She relates to and understands political processes and how to get things done within these important Home Rule and statewide legal structures found in Florida Statutes and other products of Florida’s regulatory, licensing, and permitting rules.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Managing wastewater and freshwater needs for a healthy Florida future, for all.
Campaign website: merrillee.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
Marshall Rawson
Occupation: Full Time -- Florida Citrus Grower
Part Time -- Officer in the Florida Guard
Age: 34
Family: Married to Megan
Father to Marion, Reese, Clayton, Georgiana, Hampton
Education: Jacksonville University, BS in History 18′ / University of Florida, Juris Doctor 23′
Political experience: 15-years of conservative advocacy
Regional Director of the Republican Liberty Caucus
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Overdevelopment -- (1) Stop the state preemption that has accelerated the loss of vital Agricultural and ecologically important areas. (2) Maximum funding for our Rural and Family Protection Program that will protect our food security and give land use balance to the State of Florida (3) An environmental standard that looks to our aquifer to determine if Florida’s carry capacity can continue to take in 1000 plus new residence everyday. We must keep Florida great for all of those who currently here, we cannot afford to make it Hell for everyone who is here. We must use the police powers vested to us in the U.S. Constitution to do so.
Immigration -- Utilize our 287g program to deputize local law enforcement and The Guard to make arrest on illegal immigrants that our here. We don’t need to wait around to see if those who are here illegally will commit a second and even more egregious crime.
Property Tax Reform -- With 1000+ people moving to Florida daily assessed values on real property continue to climb and local government continues to squeeze local residents through greater taxation to pay for it. Floridians need immediate property tax relief.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am not financed by Tallahassee interest which means that my allegiance unlike my competition is not stretched a million ways.
I have been an advocate of 15-years on the tough issues which gives me the unmatched experience and the fortitude to advocate.
My Law Degree from the University of Florida gives me insite which gives me a strong edge when it comes to law making and makes me a more effective advocate.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Defending Life and Liberty
and for reversing what seemed to be the inevitable decline of ole Florida.
Campaign website: www.marshallrawsoncampaign.com
Campaign social media: Facebook