Two Republicans are running to replace 3rd Circuit State Attorney Henry Siegmeister, who resigned suddenly in December. Interim State Attorney David Phelps, who came out of retirement to fill the position, is not seeking to stay in the job.
Because there is no Democrat or other registered candidates in the race, the August primary will be open to all voters.
Recommended Videos
Scroll down to read each candidate’s responses to News4Jax’s questionnaire, presented verbatim as submitted.
John Durrett
Party affiliation: REPUBLICAN
Age: 41
Candidate’s family: MARRIED FOR 18 YEARS, 2 CHILDREN (SON AGED 13 AND DAUGHTER AGE 10)
Occupation: ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY
Education: B.A. IN HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY FROM INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Political experience: FIRST TIME CANDIDATE
What do you see as the top three issues in this race?
- SUPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
- LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY
- PROTECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
BY PROVIDING THEM WITH BALANCED JUDGMENT AND INTEGRITY IN MAKING DECISIONS
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
AS SOMEONE WHO WAS ALWAYS HONEST AND FAIR
If elected how would you address the calls for racial justice?
I WOULD LISTEN AND EXAMINE TO DETERMINE ANY BIAS OR INEQUALITY PRESENT WITHIN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND SEEK TO REMEDY THE SAME
What challenges does COVID-19 present to the office you are seeking?
IT HAS BROUGHT COURT PROCEEDINGS TO A STAND STILL
Campaign website: STATEATTORNEY2020.COM
Campaign’s social media pages: FACEBOOK
Tina Seifert
Party affiliation: Republican
Age: 51
Candidate’s family: Mother - Jeanne Nieto, Father - Alonzo Nieto, Brother - Eric Nieto. Dogs: Huckleberry Finnigan and Barklee
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Education: Bachelor of Science from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law (December 1994)
Political experience: None other than attending Republican Executive Committee Meetings and attending Republican fundraisers.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race?
- Restoring Integrity to the Office of State Attorney
- Establishing Communication between the Office of State Attorney, Law Enforcement, and the Community.
- Strong Leadership and positive change.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I can provide the strong leadership and positive change that the Office so desperately needs. I can restore communication between the State Attorney's Office and law enforcement, as well as the public.
I will not only be in the courtroom, but I will be in our children's classrooms working with our teachers to educate our children about the ramifications of criminal activity and the impact on our communities.
I will be involved in our communities working with law enforcement and others to reduce criminal activity and to make a positive change where needed.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I would hope to be remembered as one who served with integrity, who protected our communities, provided a voice to the victims, and who made a positive difference in the lives of those I served.
If elected how would you address the calls for racial justice?
I would urge the implementation of continuing legal education programs which focus on topics of race relations, causes of disparity, and its effect on our communities.
I would seek opportunities to meet with people in our communities to discuss their concerns regarding racial disparity, and discuss alternatives and means of addressing said concerns.
What challenges does COVID-19 present to the office you are seeking?
Congestion of the docket and the ability to move cases through the system expeditiously and efficiently.
Campaign website: tinaseifert.com
Campaign’s social media pages: Facebook