Incumbent District 4 commissioner Krista Keating-Joseph faces two challengers in this election, James Austin Galloway and Sam Williams. As all three candidates are Republicans, the primary will be a Universal Primary Contest, meaning it will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
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.
| REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES |
James Austin Galloway
Occupation: Attorney
Age: 40
Family: Mercedes Galloway, M.D. and James Austin Galloway, Jr.
Education: Florida State University; Florida Coastal School of Law
Political experience: Florida Senate Majority Office; Jacksonville Young Republicans
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Infrastructure, accountability, and supporting our local businesses. We need to ensure our roads keep pace, taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly, and that we support local businesses and agriculture while creating opportunities for quality jobs.
I will work cooperatively with staff, the School Board, and our constitutional officers to address issues proactively and plan for the future. I also believe strongly in supporting law enforcement and our veterans, working with the City of St. Augustine, and representing the entire community across party lines.
As a fifth-generation Floridian, business owner, father, and Christian, I bring a detailed, approachable, and responsive style of leadership focused on being thorough, forward-thinking, reliable, and results-driven.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
A results-driven approach, backed by legal experience and accountability.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office? (No answer)
Campaign website: jamesgalloway.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
Krista Keating-Joseph
Occupation: Current Board of County Commissioner for St. Johns County D4 and award winning author of children books and novel.
Age: 65
Family: Gold Star Mother with 5 children and 8 grandchildren. My husband passed away in January from ALS and was an Olympic medalist and hand surgeon in St. Johns County. My son, Navy SEAL Charles Keating IV, was KIA in Teleskop, Iraq fighting ISIS and was awarded the highest military honor, the Navy Cross.
Education: University of Arizona with a BA in radio television and marketing.
Political experience: I am the current County Commissioner, and for the past 4 years I have slowed the growth, cut taxes, reduced clear cutting, successfully advocated for services such as libraries, and I have proudly represented YOU.
I previously was Governor appointed and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Citrus County Hospital Board.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Continuing to slow the growth as I began to do four years ago. Prior to my election, (from 2020 to 2022), St. Johns was the fastest growing county in the state. I was elected at a time when our heavily developer-funded commissioners were approving close to 100% of developments of undeveloped land that came before them. Residents #1 issue was to slow explosive, unchecked growth, and that continues to be the top issue for our county. Overdevelopment causes traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, loss of its #1 ranking, loss of wildlife habitat and loss of quality of life. I have slowed the growth and will continue to do so, primarily by denying residential development when legal and appropriate.
2. Preserving the tree canopy, including the Guana Reserve as our county’s growth continues. I fought hard for a 14-point tree ordinance that included reducing clearcutting from a very high 95% for PUD’s. The developer-controlled majority on the board gutted that ordinance, caving to developer interests. I will address this issue by re-introducing this ordinance, in hopes that the newly elected board will have a majority that is not developer funded.
3. Ban all Data Centers in St. Johns County, day 1. Data centers threaten natural resources and eliminate vast areas of wildlife habitat.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
As your current county commissioner, there is no learning forme. I know who to reach out to on our staff and solve problems quickly. I also have a voting record to prove that what I promised 4 years ago I will continue to fight for… and I will fight for YOU!
One of my opponents was recruited to run by a current pro-developer commissioner. This opponent is expected to vote accordingly, if elected.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered for representing my constituents, responding to their needs and voting as I promised I would. Two examples of this are 1) slowing the growth which has occurred since I became commissioner, and 2) moving public comment from the end of the meeting to the beginning to encourage more residents to participate in their government - as they have done.
Campaign website: www.votekrista.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Sam Williams
Campaign website: samforstjohns.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
The Republican candidate has not yet completed the News4JAX candidate questionnaire following email and telephone invitations to do so. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.