HERNANDO COUNTY – Brian Hawkins is leaving the Hernando County Commission.
Jerry Campbell has withdrawn from his reelection race for District 4.
Hawkins, representing District 2, announced his immediate resignation on Wednesday, June 10, and said in a Facebook post that he will run for the State House seat in District 53 held by state Rep. Jeff Holcomb. The latter has qualified to run for the District 4 seat.
“Today, after careful prayer, conversations with my family, and reflection on how I can best continue serving our community, I am announcing my resignation from the Hernando County Commission to pursue election to the Florida House of Representatives, District 53,” Hawkins wrote. “Serving as your District 2 County Commissioner — and as Chairman — has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we fought for lower taxes, fiscal discipline, transparency in government, infrastructure investment, public safety and protecting the values that make our community strong.”
Campbell withdraws
Campbell sent a message on his Facebook page:
”After much prayer and careful consideration, I have decided not to seek reelection to the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners, District 4. I have always striven to approach every responsibility with excellence and full commitment,” he wrote. “At this season of my life, the demands of family, business endeavors, and other commitments will not allow me to dedicate the time and attention that this important office deserves. Because I believe the citizens of Hernando County deserve nothing less than wholehearted service, I have made the difficult decision not to pursue another term.”
In the posting, Campbell said he will serve out his term “with the same integrity, passion, and dedication that you have come to expect.”
Holcomb seeks District 4 seat
Holcomb now is running for the District 4 seat held by Campbell. Holcomb has qualified for election to the seat, and his qualified Republican challengers are Marvin Baynham and Jeremy Holmes. Donald Bigelow is a write-in candidate. In a June 9 letter to Supervisor of Elections Denise LaVancher, Holcomb said he was redesignating his campaign for District 53 state representative to the District 4 County Commission seat, and would send out a letter to his donors.
County Commission, District 2
With Hawkins out of the race, the qualified Republican hopefuls are Kathryn Birren, Silvia Dukes, James Scavetta and Maxwell Joseph Glenn.
County Commission, District 4
Holcomb is running against fellow Republican Marvin Baynham and write-in candidate Donald Bigelow. All three have qualified. Jeremy Holmes did not qualify.
School Board, District 1
Incumbent Mark Johnson will run against former Springstead High School principal Dana Lynne Pearce. Both have qualified. Anthony J. Arenz did not qualify.
School Board, District 3
Incumbent Shannon L. Rodriguez will run against Luciano S. Vignali. Both have qualified. Daniel Dumont did not qualify and Matthew F. Impemba withdrew from the race.
School Board, District 5
Current seat-holder Susan Duval is running for re-election and has qualified. Amanda Rae Cunningham-Rud is seeking the seat and also has qualified. Kara Lee Champion has qualified for the seat, too. Pamela Sue Everett has withdrawn.
Brooksville City Council, Seat 1
Robert D. Watson has qualified for the seat held by Mayor Christa Tanner, and Betty Erhard also will run for the seat and has qualified.
Brooksville City Council, Seat 4
Noah Hodges has qualified to run for the seat held by Erhard. Jennifer McCoskrie also has qualified for the seat.
Brooksville City Council, Seat 5
Incumbent W. Thomas Bronson has qualified and has no opponent for his seat.
The primaries will be on Aug. 18, according to the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections Office, with the deadline to send Vote-by-Mail ballots to UOCAVA (military and overseas) voters of July 4; the deadline to send Vote-by-Mail ballots to domestic voters July 9 until July 16; the deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation July 20; and the deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot Aug. 6.
The early voting period will be Aug. 8 to Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
According to the Supervisor of Elections website, as of June 9 there are 69,821 registered Republicans in the county, 30,183 Democrats, 35,352 “others” and a total of 135,536 registered voters.
Qualification dates for all seats ran from noon on June 8 to noon on June 12.
The general election will be on Nov. 3, with the deadline to send Vote-by-Mail ballots to UOCAVA (military and overseas) voters of Sept. 19; the deadline to send Vote-by-Mail ballots to domestic voters Sept. 24 until Oct. 1; the deadline to register to vote Oct. 5; and the deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot Oct. 22.
The early voting period will be Oct. 22 to Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.