St. Johns County Commissioner Jimmy Johns has announced he is mounting a campaign to run for the congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Palm Coast.
Johns – whose name is not related to the national sandwich chain founded by Jimmy John Liautaud – is also the founder and president of Solid Rock Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Appointed to the St. Johns County Commission by Governor Rick Scott; Johns, a Republican, served as its Chairman in his second year in office and was subsequently elected to a full District 1 term in 2016. His current commissioner term expires in 2020.
Johns’ announcement comes on the heels of DeSantis announcing on Monday that he is running for governor.
“Our country is at a crossroads, some think we should hold on to the failed policies of yesterday. I disagree and will fight to secure our border, keep the promises our seniors and work to make sure that the promise of America will exist for the next generation,” said Johns in an email sent to WJCT News.
Johns said he will work with President Donald Trump to keep taxes low and build the wall along the U.S./Mexico border.
Other candidates that have filed to run for Florida’s sixth congressional seat, according to the Florida Department of State are:
Robert Paul Coffman (DEM)
Fredrick William Costello (REP)
Robert Joseph Jones (REP)
Jeremy James Kelly (REP)
Stephen Andrew Sevigny (DEM)
Nancy Soderberg (DEM)
John Nehring Upchurch (DEM)
- John Ward (REP)
WJCT News was not able to independently confirm Johns had officially filed at the time of this story’s posting. A spokesperson with his campaign said Johns filed the paperwork and check with the state on Tuesday.
Additional information: Johns' campaign website
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
