As of 12PM CST on Friday, June 17, 2022, filing was closed for political candidates wishing to vie for government jobs in Washington County, Florida.
According to the Washington County, Florida Supervisor of Elections website, seven of fifteen political candidates will enter or re-enter political office without having to campaign, as there were no opponents for these seats.
Washington County, Florida Judge Colby Peel has not had an opponent for some time and walks back into that role of County Judge.
Orange Hill Soil and Water seats 1 through 5, with a single candidate each, all unopposed, will walk into those roles. John Gilbert wins Seat 1, George Owens retains Seat 2, Joann Walsingham walks into Seat 3, Rebecca Fredricksson will represent Seat 4 and Cliff White wins Seat 5, all without firing a shot.
Will ‘Tonka’ Taylor, Washington County School Board Member District 4, had no opponent and will again represent District 4 at the School Board.
Charles Kent, Washington County Commissioner District 2 for the past two terms is vying for re-election against opponent David Pettis.
Todd Abbott will again be opposed for the seat as Washington County Commissioner District 4 by Wesley Griffin, who made an unsuccessful attempt at unseating Abbott four years ago. Notably, Abbott is the only person to hold the office of County Commissioner in Washington County, Florida for three or more consecutive terms.
Political newcomers Cynthia Brown and Ashlynn Marquez will square off for the soon-to-be-vacant Washington County School Board Seat District 1, which has been held by retiring Vann Brock, who held that seat for 20 years.
Jasper Carter, applying for the vacant job of Washington County School Board Member District 5, soon to be vacated by Susan Roberts, is competing against opponent Cheryl Williams, both political newcomers as well.
Many in the community wait to hear what these candidates have to say and currently the Washington County Republican Party, the Chipley Kiwanis Club and other organizations are discussing political debates, similar to those executed every election cycle over the past 16 years in Chipley, and details will be announced when political filing is completed.
