Nassau County Clerk of Court and Comptroller John Crawford announced his retirement earlier this year, following the end of his fourth term in the office. Two Republicans, Mitchell Keiter and Allan Reynolds, are seeking the office. As no other candidates qualified for the race, the August primary will be open to all Nassau County voters, regardless of party affiliation.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
Mitchell Keiter
Occupation: Current Chief of Staff and Operations, Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office
Age: 45
Family: Jennifer (Wife / 24 Years), Peyton (Daughter, 15), Lucas (Son, 11)
Education: My background before joining the Clerk of Court’s office was as an information technology professional.
Political experience: I have not previously been a politician or served in public office. I have dedicated the last two decades of my life towards ensuring the safety, integrity and successful operations of court administration and financial reporting for the Nassau County Clerk of Court’s office.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Cybercrime continues to grow and become more sophisticated each year. This is important because the Clerk’s office is responsible for maintaining the integrity and security of a tremendous number of records for our citizens. These records include personal data containing medical information, property ownership and sales information, and the names of victims and minors, just to name a few. This is why cybersecurity is of paramount importance and concern.
Ensuring Financial Security: Protecting taxpayer funds in the age of instant information and transfer is more critical than ever. Personal data containing financial information, county banking information, and transaction information need to be more secure and scrutinized than ever before.
Maintaining Integrity: I joined the office shortly after the current Clerk of Court John Crawford was elected. The county at that time was in serious financial distress. Money was misplaced and the integrity of the entire organization was in question. During the past two decades we have restored the public trust. Along with the Board of County Commissioners, we have increased the county’s credit rating, built our reserves and restored confidence in our office from the taxpayer. Maintaining integrity and being a watch-dog for the taxpayer in terms of not only finances but transparent court administration is of paramount importance.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My experience is unique and stands in contrast to my opponent. I have essentially been doing the job alongside Clerk John Crawford (who I am privileged to have been endorsed by) for nearly two decades. I am already on the job and doing it each and every day. I am prepared to hit the ground running and ensure the smooth operation as we continue to address the issues I have listed.
While the issues in this race are important, the goal isn’t to start implementing these security changes. We have already been doing that. Our goal is to continue the excellent work already being done by the staff we have and see these tasks through to completion.
My experience with the needs of court administration and financial management of the Clerk’s office makes me the best qualified candidate for the position.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Preserving the public trust. Maintaining high integrity and stewardship for our taxpayers is the most important thing. If at the end of the day when my time is done and the dust settles I have accomplished this, I am happy with that legacy.
Campaign website: www.votekeiter.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Allan Reynolds
Occupation: Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller at the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
Age: 47
Family: Married to Penelope Reynolds. Father to Noah and Natalie Reynolds, Luke and Shelby Lyle.
Education: Graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking and Finance and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Services.
Political experience: I have never run for or held political office. I have 17+ years of professional government finance experience in Nassau County in the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office, Tax Collector’s office and the Sheriff’s office. I am currently the appointed Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller in the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Filling the Clerk’s office vacancy with a candidate experience and certification in government finance. I have 17+ years of professional government finance experience in Nassau County in the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office, Tax Collector’s office and the Sheriff’s office.
Ensuring accountability and transparency for the taxpayers of Nassau County by striving to create an online dashboard or checkbook for citizens to see where their money is going.
Emphasis on providing exceptional customer service for Nassau County residents. I would provide staff with avenues for growth and development with an emphasis on continued training and educational improvement opportunities which will increase efficiency and improve employee retention leading to better customer service.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have experience contributing to the success of other Constitutional Offices in Nassau County. For example, I was very instrumental in the implementation of the customer service model currently utilized at the Tax Collector’s office. I am trained, educated and experienced in government finance as I currently serve as the Chief Financial Officer at the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office managing all financial operations with an operating budget of roughly $50 million. I have also held government finance and administrative positions in the Tax Collector’s Office as the Chief Deputy and the Clerk of the Circuit and Comptroller’s Office as a Budget and Financial Analyst for the Board of County Commissioners budget.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I would like to remembered for being honest, transparent and accountable to the taxpayers of Nassau County.
Campaign website: www.allanreynolds.com
Campaign social media: Facebook