St. Johns County residents will head to the polls this November to fill two seats on the St. Johns County Airport Authority, the board that oversees the St. Augustine Airport. The race comes as the authority seeks to move beyond recent controversies and pursue a 23‑acre development project aimed at boosting aviation‑related economic growth and future aerospace opportunities.
Current board composition and recent changes
Only one of the five current board members, Michelle Cash‑Chapman, was elected by voters. The other four were appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis after former members Dennis Clarke, Reba Ludlow and Len Tucker resigned amid criminal charges alleging back‑room deals, and Jennifer Liotta stepped down citing governance failures and a lawsuit involving a company she co‑owned.
Governor DeSantis appointed Daniel Bean, Jerry Dedge, Mario Dipola and Nick Primrose to replace those seats. Of those appointees, only Dedge is seeking re‑election; Bean will not run, and the remaining appointees are not up for election until 2028.
Group 2 seat: Dedge vs. John Wilson
Incumbent Jerry Dedge, a retired military aviator and former pilot instructor, is running for the Group 2 seat. His opponent, John Wilson, brings a legal background, having served as an assistant district attorney in New York and as a criminal‑defense lawyer. Wilson also serves as vice president of the St. Augustine Republican Club, a social organization distinct from the local Republican Executive Committee.
Both candidates have not raised any campaign funds, and the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee’s voter guide recommends either candidate.
Group 3 seat: Three contenders
The Group 3 seat, currently held by DeSantis appointee Daniel Bean, will be contested by Christopher Cannan, Sean Collins Hess and Sean Griswold.
Sean Griswold, a 19‑year‑old registered Republican and vice president of the local Young Republicans, has earned the endorsement of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee and several sitting board members, including Bean, Dedge and Dipola. Griswold’s campaign reports a $3,400 war chest, funded by modest donations such as $100 from Ko Robins (Republican Executive Committee vice chair) and contributions from Realtors PAC and health‑care CEO Alan Levine.
Sean Collins Hess, a 57‑year‑old businessman registered as a Democrat, is backed by the local Democratic Party and has raised $721, including $500 from Reach Out Florida, a PAC that supports progressive and Democratic candidates.
Christopher Cannan has not reported any campaign contributions as of early October.
Board’s future agenda
Beyond the election, the authority is preparing to develop an additional 23 acres adjacent to the airport. County officials say the land will support aviation‑related economic development, infrastructure investment and future aerospace opportunities.
The board also recently appointed Courtney Pittman as its permanent executive director after serving as interim director since 2024. Pittman’s tenure has faced scrutiny after a former employee alleged sexual harassment and raised concerns about a conflict of interest involving a contractor. An internal investigation presented by attorney Dennis Vacco concluded that the issues were remedied and emphasized the board’s responsibility to maintain transparent, ethical governance.
What voters should consider
All St. Johns County voters may cast ballots in both the Group 2 and Group 3 races. Candidates have highlighted a commitment to transparency, accountability and forward‑looking development for the airport, which serves as a vital gateway for the county’s residents and businesses.
Voters are encouraged to review the official voter guide produced by the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee and consider each candidate’s experience, endorsements and stated priorities as the authority charts its next phase of growth.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
