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. Two Republicans, Chase Brannan and Marshall Rawson, will be in their party’s primary in August. The winner will face the sole Democrat, Merrillee Malwitz Jipson, in the general election in November.
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
Chase Brannan
Occupation: Small business owner in residential real estate and property management.
Age: 32
Family: Eighth-generation Floridian, born and raised in Baker County; son of Chuck Brannan, a former Baker County sheriff’s deputy and Chief of Investigations, and the late Kim Brannan, a longtime educator and principal of Westside Elementary School.
Education: Associate of Arts, magna cum laude, Florida Gateway College; Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication and a minor in Sales and Management in Agribusiness, University of Florida.
Political experience: Former Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Rural Coordination at the Florida Department of Financial Services under CFO Jimmy Patronis; former statewide Political Director for Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis’ 2022 Re-election campaign; former Regional Field Director for Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2022 Re-election campaign; former Federal Affairs Coordinator in the Executive Office of the Governor; former Florida Gubernatorial Fellow under Governor Ron DeSantis at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues are addressing the cost of living, protecting North Florida’s way of life, and ensuring our communities have the resources and opportunities they need.
First, I will deliver meaningful property tax relief while ensuring our communities have the resources to stay safe and prosperous, keep taxes low, control government spending, and address rising costs for families, homeowners, and small businesses without shifting the burden to rural counties.
Second, I will protect our farmers, ranchers, timberland owners, private property rights, water, and springs. I support smart growth, not out-of-control development, and will oppose projects such as hyper scale data centers or the discharge of Jacksonville’s treated wastewater into our region when they threaten our natural resources and rural communities.
Third, I will fight for better roads, strong public safety funding, and expanded workforce and technical education. That includes securing much-needed wage increases for correctional officers, improving recruitment and retention, and addressing aging correctional facilities that are deteriorating, becoming increasingly costly, and unsafe. Our students should also have access to training in fields such as welding, health care, HVAC, agriculture, and commercial driving so they can find good-paying jobs and build their futures here at home.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I offer deep local roots, state government experience, budget expertise, and a record of building relationships that deliver results. I am an eighth-generation Floridian, born and raised in this district. I grew up raising livestock, participating in 4-H and FFA, and learning the importance of agriculture, hard work, and personal responsibility. As someone born profoundly deaf and who relies on the use of cochlear implants, I also understand the importance of perseverance and ensuring every person has the opportunity to succeed.
At the University of Florida, I served on the Student Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, helping review a budget of more than $20 million. In state government, I worked with elected officials, law enforcement, firefighters, businesses, and community leaders throughout Florida. I understand how Tallahassee and state agencies operate, how to build the relationships needed to move issues forward, and how to ensure rural communities receive the attention and resources they deserve.
I am also a small-business owner and remain involved with Florida Farm Bureau, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Florida Forestry Association, the NRA, and the Macclenny Lions Club. These experiences keep me connected to the taxpayers, property owners, farmers, and working families I would represent. I will be accessible, return calls, listen to every side, and use common sense rather than political talking points. My goal is to combine local values with the experience needed to deliver results from the first day in office.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered for giving North Florida a strong, effective voice in Tallahassee and for delivering real results to the people, cities, and counties of this district. I want to deliver meaningful property tax relief, protect our farmers, ranchers, timberland owners, rural communities, water, and springs, and ensure local governments have the resources they need for roads, public safety, and essential services.
I also want to strengthen our economy by supporting small businesses, creating good-paying jobs, expanding workforce and technical education, cutting unnecessary regulation, and keeping Florida fiscally responsible. Government should live within its means, respect taxpayers, and create an environment where families and businesses can succeed.
Most of all, I hope people remember that I stayed accessible, listened to the district, and never forgot where I came from. I want to be known for building relationships, working with people across the state, and using common sense to solve problems. My goal is to leave North Florida stronger, more affordable, and better prepared for the next generation, while protecting the values and way of life that make this part of Florida special.
Campaign website: chaseforfl.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
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