UNITED STATES SENATOR
KENDRICK B. MEEK
Congressman Meek has shown his concern for Northwest Florida by visiting this area more than either of his opponents, excluding Gov. Charlie Crist’s television interviews on the BP oil disaster. Of the three candidates, Meek is more connected with the middle class and most likely to place their needs above any special interest groups.
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE
Jeff Miller
The Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives and our congressman has the seniority to land the chairmanship of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, a very important position for Northwest Florida.
GOVERNOR
ALEX SINK
Florida CFO Sink was the only state or national elected official that truly understood the magnitude of BP oil disaster from the very beginning. She understood that BP is and will not be our friend as we recover from the worst man-made environmental disaster in our history. Scott is unfit to be governor and is trying to buy the office for $60 million.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
PAM BONDI
The Tampa native has spent 18 years as a prosecutor with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, where she has tried every major type of crime. She is not a career politician. Bondi believes government should be transparent and has strong ties to local, state and federal law enforcement.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
LORANNE AUSLEY
The wife of Pensacola native Bill Holliman is running her campaign on the themes of responsible investments of state funds, job creation, transparency in the state bidding process, fair banking practices and holding insurers accountable. Her opponent has a fixation on Nancy Pelosi.
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
SCOTT MADDOX
The former mayor of Tallahassee gets it. This job is about more than citrus and cows. Maddox will be the consumer advocate that has been missing since Doyle Conner held this post.
STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 2
GREG EVERS
Somebody has to continue to Durell Peaden’s legacy of a pro-gun bill every session.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 1
DOUGLAS VAUGHN BROXSON
Santa Rosa County gains its second state representative.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 2
CLAY INGRAM
Ingram can build the coalitions to be successful.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 3
C.V. (CLAY) FORD
This endorsement may be a surprise, but Ford has the seniority in the Florida House to make a difference for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, GROUP 3
ALISHIA W. MCDONALD
We want to see more locals as circuit judges.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2
Gene M. Valentino
Has Commissioner Valentino learned from his first term? We think so. If not, we will have plenty to write about.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 4
Grover C. Robinson
No county commissioner chair had a more challenging year than Robinson. He handled the pressure admirably.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2
ROBERT “BOB†COLE
This is a less than enthusiastic endorsement, but the alternative is worse
EMERALD COAST UTILITIES AUTHORITY, DISTRICT 2
LOIS BENSON
The matriarch of Escambia County politics spearheaded the relocation of the Main Street Sewage Treatment Plant. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
EMERALD COAST UTILITIES AUTHORITY, DISTRICT 4
DALE PERKINS
While he can be frustrating at times, Perkins does vote the correct way in the end.
ESCAMBIA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, GROUP 5
DAN CAIN
We tossed a coin. Cain won.
CITY OF PENSACOLA, MAYOR
ASHTON HAYWARD
As much as he wants to convince us the opposite, Mike Wiggins will not change much at City Hall–at least, not the change that the voters wanted when they voted in 2009 for the new city charter. Mike can’t envision cutting property taxes, because he is too vested in the current budget. All the problems which we face today–from the pension crisis to falling city population to the decline of west side of Pensacola–worsened under his 15 years on the Pensacola City Council.
Ashton Hayward offers Pensacola a chance to open the doors of Pensacola city government and take the city on a new course. Change comes hard to this city. It’s time to thank Mike Wiggins for his long service to the community and move in a different, more progressive direction.
PENSACOLA CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1
P.C. WU
It will be interesting to see how he votes without Wiggins on the council.
PENSACOLA CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 2
COURTNEY B. PETERSON
Two good candidates, but Peterson brings a young voice that is need on the Pensacola City Council
PENSACOLA CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 6
BRIAN SPENCER
Jewel Cannada-Wynn has been a poor representative for her district. She has listened more to city staff than her citizens. Spencer has worked hard canvassing the entire district and deserves a chance. We have to break up the “do nothing†block on the Pensacola City Council.