Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden is seeking re-election, facing a challenge by James “David” Carpenter. As both candidates are Republicans, and no Democrats or other candidates qualified for the race, the August Republican party will be open to all Baker County voters.
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.
James “David” Carpenter
Occupation: Hired by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 1993 as a patrol officer. JD was chosen as an original member of the first federal initiative, Community Oriented Policing Strategies (COPS). JD also served on the Delta Field Force (riot and mass disruption squad) in Jacksonville. Carpenter served as lead investigator on major drug cases. He led numerous major narcotics cases and busts as a Tactical Narcotics Detective in Florida and across multiple states with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). JD was also deputized by the FBI for police/public corruption cases and was selected as the staff inspector for the Police Athletic League. He is now Sergeant and Commander in the Major Case Narcotics Unit and Violent Crime Task Force as well as the Clandestine Lab team. He currently leads a team known nationwide for their crime analysis and intelligence gathering. JD works closely with deputized agents from the DEA and the FBI. Since he worked within the unit long before becoming commander, he not only manages the task force but is a “hands-on” and knowledgeable member of the team in every aspect.
Age: 53
Family: JD and his wife Tonya live in Baker County a long with JD’s parents. Together they share 6 beautiful children between them. The couple worships at Glen Baptist Church and are passionate about the outdoors and the small town way of life they cherish in Baker County.
Education: Graduated from Keystone Heights High School. He attended the Art institute of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville University and Florida State College of Jacksonville where he studied visual communications. He then attended the Law Enforcement Academy at Saint Augustine Technical College where he achieved his Law Enforcement Certificate.
Political experience: While JD has not held political office prior to this election, he has a vast amount of experience serving the members of the community. He has spent over half of his lifetime listening to the issues from members of the community, interpreting the root causes of the issue then addressing it.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues facing Baker County, at least from the view of the Sheriff’s Office are readily apparent. The financial crisis of the jail has plagued this fiscally constrained county since its inception. However, it has been compounded over the past 8 years by the current administration’s lack of management and accountability by intentionally not submitting a budget that covers real costs so they can claim a tax payer savings during elections. Transparency is also a huge issue. It would seem that word is popular in campaigns around election time but we have lost the true meaning of that. The lack of information or the intentional release of fictitious or misleading information separates the community from the Sheriff’s office. The current administration willfully allowed accreditation to lapse so they could “hire people quickly” which tells me they dropped hiring qualifications and standards and that is a disservice to this county. The fix for these issues require leadership, to get the BCCMC board, the county commissioners and the Sheriff’s office at the same table to financially secure the jail issue. It requires honesty and integrity to fix the transparency issue and provide an open books approach to better inform the public on the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office. Lastly, it requires tenacity, thinking outside the box and strong partnerships to achieve accreditation without financial drain on the county and an administration that is not afraid of oversight to allow for its benefits.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I think back to a community meeting where Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll was speaking. She made excellent points that were general in nature but really hit home in our small town community. She spoke of needing more qualification that just a love of the county and service to others. The need to have more to offer than just being from the small town itself. She also spoke about elected officials graciously leaving after two terms to allow for better service to the residents. She explained that very simply by using this analogy. After eight years, you are a tree with no fresh leaves. You have had time to put all your best laid plans into actions and you have to realize that a fresh perspective is what inspires new policies and solutions to evolving problems. That applies here in our hometown. I am that fresh set of eyes on recurring problems. I am that tree with fresh leaves and I am the candidate that will provide the professional law enforcement leadership for this county.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I would like to be remembered for restoring public trust, accountability, integrity and transparency back to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. I would like to bring advanced training and a fair and equitable promotional process. An accredited agency that is in line with the Nation’s best practices and procedures. but most of all, I would like to be remembered for creating an agency large enough to handle any crisis that comes to our county but small enough to know everyone’s name and family.
Campaign website: votecarpenter.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Scotty Rhoden
Occupation: For the past eight years, serving as Sheriff has been both a privilege and a profound responsibility. It’s a role that has allowed me to protect and serve our community with dedication and integrity. From ensuring public safety to leading initiatives that promote community engagement and trust, every day has brought new challenges and opportunities to make a positive impact. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of working alongside dedicated deputies and community leaders who share a commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe. Together, we’ve tackled tough issues, implemented effective strategies, and fostered a sense of security that extends across our county. As I reflect on these years, I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by the community and look forward to continuing our efforts to build a safer and stronger future for all.
Age: 53
Family: I am incredibly blessed to have spent the last 25 years married to my wonderful wife, Tara. Together, we have built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Our journey has been enriched by the presence of our three amazing children, Emily, Kat, and Rhett, who bring endless joy and pride to our lives.
Education: I graduated from Baker County High School in 1990 and subsequently completed the Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Training in 1992. Following that, I attended both the Commanders Academy and the Sheriff’s Academy.
Political experience: (No response)
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The rapid growth of Baker County presents the most pressing challenge for our Sheriff’s Office. Balancing community safety and a first-class agency while keeping costs low, all amid Baker County’s growth, can be challenging. However, with over 32 years of service to Baker County, I am dedicated to maintaining our community’s safety and school security, regardless of the obstacles we face.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
For 32 years, I have worked to be a positive asset to the team of law enforcement officers at the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. It has been a privilege to work alongside some of the greatest men and women there is in law enforcement.
My co-workers at BCSO have made serving Baker County for over three decades a blessing. It is truly an honor that my brothers and sisters at BCSO stood behind me in 2016 and voted to entrust me with a leading role at our great Sheriff’s Office.
Since taking office as Sheriff, I have worked to create an environment that recognizes and rewards character, integrity, competence, and compassion. Our day-to-day operations at the Sheriff’s Office are respectful, meaningful, and supportive. If you ask any member of our law enforcement team, they will echo my sentiments that at BCSO we are more than coworkers, we are family.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
After serving as Sheriff, I hope to be remembered for significantly enhancing community safety and cohesion while leaving a legacy of integrity and a positive impact on the lives of everyone in our community.
Campaign website: rhoden2024.com
Campaign social media: Facebook