Several key races will be decided in the Nov. 5 general election this year. Here’s a look at who’s running.
President/Vice President
In all likelihood either Republicans Donald J. Trump and running mate J.D. Vance or Democrats Kamala D. Harris and running mate Tim Walz will claim the top two offices in the land, though others are in the running, as well.
They are: Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat of the Libertarian Party, Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Randall Terry and Stephen Broden of the Constitution Party, Peter Sonski and Lauren Onak of the American Solidarity Party, Jill Stein and Rudolph Ware of the Green Party and two write-ins: Shiva Ayyadurai and Crystal Ellis, and Cherunda Fox and Harlan McVay Jr.
U.S. Senator
Running for U.S. senator is Republican incumbent Rick Scott and challenger Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Others seeking the office are: Libertarian Feena Bonoan; two unaffiliated candidates, Tuan TQ Nguyen and Ben Everidge; and one write-in, Howard Knepper.
U.S. Representative, District 5
Congressional District 5 is all of St. Johns County north of County Road 214 and Wildwood Drive, including St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island. The district extends north to the state line and west to the St. Johns River in Jacksonville.
Candidates are Republican incumbent John H. Rutherford, Democrat Jay McGovern and write-in Gary L. Koniz.
U.S. Representative, District 6
Congressional District 6 is all of St. Johns County south of County Road 214, Wildwood Drive and St. Augustine Beach. The district extends into five other counties: Flagler, Lake, Marion, Putnam and Volusia.
Candidates are Republican incumbent Michael Waltz, Democrat James David Stockton III and write-in Richard Paul Dembinsky.
State Senator, District 7
State Senate District 7 consists of all of St. Johns, Putnam and Flagler counties and the northern parts of Volusia County. It is currently represented by Travis Hutson, who has reached his term limit.
Candidates are Republican Tom Leek and Democrat George Anthony “T” Hill II.
State Representative, District 18
Florida House District 18 is all of St. Johns County north of State Road 16. It is currently represented by Cyndi Stevenson, who has reached her term limit.
Candidates are Republican Kim Kendall and Democrat Keith Matthews.
State Representative, District 19
Florida House District 19 consists of that portion of St. Johns County east of U.S. 1 and the city of St. Augustine south of District 18. It extends south to include all of Flagler County. It is currently represented by Paul Renner, who has reached his term limit.
Candidates are Republican Sam Greco and Democrat Adam Morley.
State Representative, District 20
Florida House District 20 consists of all of St. Johns County south of S.R. 16 and west of U.S. 1. It extends to include all of Putnam County and parts of Clay and Marion counties. It is currently being represented by Bobby Payne, who has reached his term limit.
Candidates are Republican Judson Sapp and Democrat Tony Connolly.
Sheriff
Republican incumbent Sheriff Robert Hardwick will face a challenge from write-in candidate Terri Schurman.
County Commissioner, District 1
Republican incumbent Christian Whitehurst narrowly prevailed over challenger Ann-Marie Evans, as well as one other candidate, in the Aug. 20 primary election. In the general election, he will face a challenge from write-in candidate Taylor Ohntrup.
County Commissioner, District 3
Republican Clay Murphy will face a challenge from write-in candidate Fitch McGraw. Murphy prevailed over incumbent Roy Alaimo and two other candidates in the Aug. 20 primary election.
County Commissioner, District 5
Republican Ann Taylor will face a challenge by Merrill Paul Roland, listed as having no party affiliation. Taylor narrowly prevailed over incumbent Henry Dean, as well as one other candidate, in the Aug. 20 primary election.
School Board Member, District 5
Candidates Linda Thomson and Bethany Hilbert will compete in a runoff election because neither they nor the other two candidates received 50% of the vote plus one. In that race, Thomson was the top vote-getter with 41% of the vote. Hilbert followed with 24%.
The winner replaces Patrick Canan, who currently serves District 5.
City of St. Augustine Commission, Seat 1
Jonathan DePreter and Billy Triay will compete for the seat currently being held by Roxanne Horvath.
Anastasia Mosquito Control District
Vying for Seat 1 will be T.J. Mazzotta and Ed Slavin. Seat 3 will go to either Gayle Gardner or Tom Reynolds. The competition for Seat 5 is between Gary Howell, Gina LeBlanc and Martin B. Miller. LeBlanc and Gardner currently serve on the board.
St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach Commission
Vying for Group 2 will be Nicholas G. Binder and Doreen Duffy. Sandy Flowers and Christopher K. Way are competing for Group 4. Binder and Way are the incumbents.
Several seats on various community development district boards will be decided in the general election. They are: Durbin Crossing (Seat 4), Heritage Landing (Seats 1 and 5), Julington Creek Plantation (Seat 5), Marshall Creek (Seats 4 and 5), Meadow View at Twin Creeks (Seat 1), Parkland Preserve (Seats 3 and 4), Six Mile Creek (Seats 1 and 5), Sweetwater Creek (Seat 5), Trout Creek (Seats 3, 4 and 5), and Turnbull Creek (Seats 2 and 4).
